Shedding our penis spines helped us become human, DNA study hints

Guardian ^ | Wednesday 9 March 2011 | Ian Sample

[Cardhu]

"The loss of penile spines may have allowed our ancient ancestors to copulate for longer, a development thought to have nurtured monogamous couples and paved the way for more complex social structures"

Damn! I thought it was the other way around.

[Christian Engineer Mass]

whatever.

[alstewartfan]

Good thinking, Link!! LOL Bob

[Dilbert San Diego]

The jokes will write themselves since they studied the penis spines.

The jokes will write themselves too, regarding “gay” men, I’m sure. We’ve all heard the joke about how homo-erectus moved to San Francisco.

[freebilly]

What the...! Am I the only one whose spines are still intact...!?

[driftdiver]

It never ceases to amaze me at how much detail these scientists can infer from evidence that isnt there.

[starlifter]

[lowbridge]

Am I the only one whose spines are still intact...!?

Nope. I'm not married too.

[sauropod]

.

[skeeter]

Thank goodness.

[Cardhu]

WOW! six reply’s in 20 seconds — I am glad we have so many science mavins on FR.

[library user]

[Jim W N]

Yup, they’re still trying to figure out/convince the gullible how you can throw a ton of TNT into a junk yard and come out with a Lexis dealership and showroom floor.

[DemforBush]

Useless fact for the day: the penis spine in most mammals is more properly called the “oosik”.

Don’t ask me how I know that, because it involves a crazy redhead from Bavaria and a guy who fears people touching his guitar.

[paudio]

Penile spines – which make the penis more sensitive and speed ejaculation – are more common in animals that face intense competition for mates, and where females are likely to mate with many males in rapid succession. The loss of penile spines may have allowed our ancient ancestors to copulate for longer, a development thought to have nurtured monogamous couples and paved the way for more complex social structures.

So, those who have premature-ejaculation issue are more likely to live in promiscuity?

[rfp1234]

Aha, that's why Barack is superhuman. He's shed both his wiener and his spine.

[lbryce]

I saw this article several times at various sites throughout the day and thought, hey, whatever.

[humblegunner]

our ancient ancestors lost facial whiskers and short, tactile spines on their penises.

Lost 'em?

They should have paid more attention to where they leave things.

If I've told my kids that once I've told them a thousand times.

[Cardhu]

Am I the only one whose spines are still intact...!?

Veeery interesting

[Palladin]

We shed them...then along came Viagra and four-hour erections!