Genetic, physiologic and ecogeographic factors contributing to variation in Homo sapiens: Homo floresiensis reconsidered.

Full Abstract

A new species, Homo floresiensis, was recently named for Pleistocene hominid remains on Flores, Indonesia. Significant controversy has arisen regarding this species. To address controversial issues and refocus investigations, I examine the affinities of these remains with Homo sapiens. Clarification of problematic issues is sought through an integration of genetic and physiological data on brain ontogeny and evolution. Clarification of the taxonomic value of various 'primitive' traits is possible given these data. Based on this evidence and using a H. sapiens morphological template, models are developed to account for the combination of features displayed in the Flores fossils. Given this overview, I find substantial support for the hypothesis that the remains represent a variant of H. sapiens possessing a combined growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis modification and mutation of the MCPH gene family. Further work will be required to determine the extent to which this variant characterized the population.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Richards, Gary D (GD);

Affiliation: Human Evolution Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. grichards@berkeley.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Historical Article; Journal Article; Review

Journal: Journal of evolutionary biology (J Evol Biol), published in Switzerland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Nov; vol 19 (issue 6) : pp 1744-67

Dates: Created 2006/10/16; Completed 2006/12/05;

PMID: 17040372, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

African Continental Ancestry Group
Animals
Asia, Southeastern
Body Height
Brain - growth & development
Dwarfism - genetics
Female
History, Ancient
Hominidae - anatomy & histology; genetics

Hominidae - anatomy & histology; genetics
Human Growth Hormone - physiology
Humans - genetics
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - physiology
Male
Microcephaly - genetics
Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics
Receptors, Somatomedin - deficiency
Skull - anatomy & histology

Associated Chemicals: ASPM protein, human (0) ; MCPH1 protein, human (0) ; Nerve Tissue Proteins (0) ; Receptors, Somatomedin (0) ; Human Growth Hormone (12629-01-5) ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (67763-96-6)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.