Our female ancestors really fancied Neanderthal men, study suggests

"Experts have discovered that when these two ancient species had relations, the pairings were mostly between male Neanderthals and female homo sapiens. The finding adds to our understanding of interbreeding between these distinct groups, which took place between 45,000 to 50,000 years ago, scientists say."

"They found that in modern humans, genetic contributions from Neanderthals are unusually rare on the X chromosome. Since females carry two X chromosomes and males carry only one, this suggests that little DNA from female Neanderthals ever entered the human gene pool."

"The researchers also discovered that Neanderthals had more human DNA on their X chromosomes than anywhere else in their genomes. This genetic pattern also boosts the theory that there was preferential mating between Neanderthal males and human females."

Between 45,000 to 50,000 years ago, anatomically modern humans and Neanderthals interbred, leaving genetic traces in modern human populations. Researchers analyzed Neanderthal and modern human genomes to understand the nature of these encounters. They discovered that genetic contributions from Neanderthals are unusually rare on the X chromosome in modern humans. Since females carry two X chromosomes while males carry one, this pattern indicates minimal DNA from female Neanderthals entered the human gene pool. Conversely, Neanderthals carried more human DNA on their X chromosomes than elsewhere in their genomes. These findings suggest preferential mating between Neanderthal males and human females, challenging previous assumptions about natural selection eliminating Neanderthal genes.

Read at Mail Online