Neanderthal dad, Sapiens mum: study reveals ancient procreation pattern

Genetic evidence from three Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis) specimens suggests female Homo sapiens and male Neanderthals mated more often than did male H. sapiens and female Neanderthals — an imbalance that helped to shape the human genome. Researchers found that the X chromosomes from the specimens had, on average, 62% more sapiens DNA than non-sex chromosomes, which could be explained by a bias in mating. The bias could have been down to mate availability or cultural sanctions for certain combinations, says population geneticist Sohini Ramachandran.

Blogger Comments:

Here's a hint for these geneticists from anthropology: In tribal warfare, the victors kill the men and absorb the women into their tribe.