Implications for the Behavioral Modernity of Neandertals

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ^ | August 15, 2006 | J. Zilhão, F. d’Errico, J. Bordes, A. Lenoble, J. Texier, and J. Rigaud

[Fred Nerks]

Thanks. Very interesting about the idione link. My ancestors on the maternal side came from the Salzburg region and my great grandmother, grandmother and mother all suffered from thyroid problems.

[GoLightly]

I think the iodine theory is interesting too. My mom has a well healed zipper across her neck. I thought it was a Northern European, pale skinned kinda deal. Maybe it's related to living inland. I'm not sure.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but here goes... I believe they can only reliably do mitochondrial DNA tests in ancient subjects. Our mitochondrial DNA isn't actually our own DNA, but instead it's DNA of something our ancestors picked up ages ago. Species that are related to us, but not in our direct line would likely be susceptible to the same kinds of viruses as we were. If we were cohabiting with creatures that were similar to us, could a wide reaching viral epidemic cause us to think we are more closely related than we are?

[Fred Nerks]

"Maybe it's related to living inland. I'm not sure."

My mother's doctor explained to her that thyroid problems were common in people who came to Australia from landlocked countries in Europe. Lack of Iodine.

"Our mitochondrial DNA isn't actually our own DNA, but instead it's DNA of something our ancestors picked up ages ago."

I was not aware of that! If that is so, your theory makes a lot of sense IMO.

Virus (like AIDS) jumping the species barrier from monkey to human for example...

[GoLightly]

I used to think mtDNA came from the X of the XX/XY pair, as I knew it was inherited from our maternal side.

I try not to use Wiki for a resource too much, but when something isn't politically charged it can be useful...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrial_DNA

[Fred Nerks]

Mutations of mitochondrial DNA can lead to a number of illnesses including exercise intolerance ----

My mitrochondrial DNA has definitely been mutated!

thanks for the link.

[GoLightly]

LOL That disorder caught my eye too.

YVW ;o)