Sex and Cohabitation Among Early Humans: Anthropological and Genetic Evidence for Interbreeding Among Early Humans explores the available information regarding interbreeding among different ancestral human species. In addition, it reviews evidence in support of cohabitation as well as cultural and technological interactions and exchanges among early humans, particularly Neanderthal-sapiens interactions. The fields of archaeology, anthropology, genetics, linguistics and molecular evolution have provided a wealth of information on the complex processes involved in human evolution. The book will help readers will develop knowledge on the complexity and multiplicity of hominins, including Homo heidelbergensis, Homo sapiens, and Homo floresiensis. Moreover, the book will help them reach a greater understanding of major topics, such as introgression, migration from Africa, the origin, development and extinction of Neanderthals, interbreeding between Neanderthals and humans, and trait continuity.
1. The Complexity and Multiplicity of Hominins in Africa and Asia
2. The Species Concept and the Reality of Introgression
3. Tools Used to Study Hominin Evolution
4. The First Out of Africa Migrants
5. Neanderthal Origin and Fossil Record
6. Neanderthal DNA
7. Neanderthal Habitat, Culture, Language and Intellect
8. To What Extent Neanderthals and Modern Humans Interacted
9. Evidence for Interbreeding Between of Neanderthals and Humans
10. The Extinction of Neanderthals
11. Gene Flow Involving Denisovans and Humans
12. The Mysterious Ancestor of Contemporary Asian and Oceanic Populations
13. Anatomical and Cultural Continuity between Homo erectus and Humans
14. Interactions between Homo heidelbergensis and sapiens in the Indian Subcontinent
15. Interactions Involving Homo floresiensis
16. Ancient Hominins Interbred Extensively and Regularly in Africa
17. Continuity of Traits Among Hominins in Asia and Oceania
Dr Rene Herrera holds degrees from The City College of the City University of New York (BS), New York University (MS) and Fordham University (PhD). He continued his studies in molecular biology/genetic engineering as a post-doctoral associate at The Rockefeller University and New York Medical College. His areas of research include mechanisms underlying control of gene expression at the pre-mRNA splicing level, human evolution and human forensic DNA fingerprinting. He is a frequent contributor to journals in the field of human genetics. Dr Herrera has established collaborative efforts with several leading scientists worldwide attesting to his philosophy of expanding the reaches of his research. His commitment to creating a professional foundation for future scientific generations has led him to contribute to the education of numerous students as a mentor. A total of 15 PhD and 41 M.S. students obtained their degrees under his supervision and hundreds of undergraduate students have benefited from his guidance in conducting research. He is the author of over 200 full-length articles.
Ralph Garcia-Bertrand is a Professor of Genetics in the Molecular Biology Department at Colorado College. He holds degrees from the University of Nevada (BS, MS), and The University of California, Riverside (PhD). He continued his studies as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Genetics, at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on human population genetics and evolution. Dr Garcia-Bertrand has won several teaching awards and has been the Director of undergraduate education programs funded by IBM, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Freeman Foundation. He has been a subcommittee member for various NIH research, educational, and underrepresented student programs for over 22 years. He is a lifetime member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science and the National Association of Biology Teachers. He teaches general and advanced genetics, human evolution, and a course on the ethics of genetics.