Craniomandibular form and body size variation of first generation mouse hybrids: A model for hominin hybridization

Journal of Human Evolution
Kerryn A WarrenRebecca Rogers Ackermann

Abstract

Hybridization occurs in a number of mammalian lineages, including among primate taxa. Analyses of ancient genomes have shown that hybridization between our lineage and other archaic hominins in Eurasia occurred numerous times in the past. However, we still have limited empirical data on what a hybrid skeleton looks like, or how to spot patterns of hybridization among fossils for which there are no genetic data. Here we use experimental mouse models to supplement previous studies of primates. We characterize size and shape variation in the cranium and mandible of three wild-derived inbred mouse strains and their first generation (F1) hybrids. The three parent taxa in our analysis represent lineages that diverged over approximately the same period as the human/Neanderthal/Denisovan lineages and their hybrids are variably successful in the wild. Comparisons of body size, as quantified by long bone measurements, are also presented to determine whether the identified phenotypic effects of hybridization are localized to the cranium or represent overall body size changes. The results indicate that hybrid cranial and mandibular sizes, as well as limb length, exceed that of the parent taxa in all cases. All three F1 hybrid crosses displ...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 22, 2019·Evolutionary Anthropology·Rebecca R AckermannDietmar Zinner
Dec 20, 2018·Royal Society Open Science·Yoland SavriamaJukka Jernvall
Aug 30, 2021·Journal of Human Evolution·Laura T BuckTimothy D Weaver

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