Homo Sapiens Sapiens Interbreeding: Fertile Offspring %

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the fertility of offspring produced by different sub-species of Homo sapiens sapiens, particularly in the context of interbreeding and the conditions that might affect fertility rates. It explores the implications of selective breeding and the classification of human subspecies.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the percentage of Homo sapiens sapiens sub-species that produce fertile offspring, seeking to understand the circumstances that might lead to a percentage less than 100%.
  • Another participant references Trisomy 21 as a potential example related to fertility issues.
  • Several participants assert that there are no extant subspecies of Homo sapiens, with one emphasizing that Homo sapiens sapiens is the only recognized subspecies, while Homo sapiens idaltu is mentioned as another subspecies.
  • One participant discusses the interbreeding between Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens, noting the contentious nature of this topic due to potential DNA contamination in Neanderthal samples and the implications for reproductive barriers.
  • There is a reiteration of the claim that the Neanderthal genes present in modern humans do not create significant reproductive barriers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the classification of subspecies, with some asserting that no subspecies exist while others reference historical classifications. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these classifications on fertility rates.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of consensus on the definition of subspecies and the implications of genetic evidence on reproductive barriers, as well as the potential for contamination in genetic studies.

0oZe
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What's the percentage of sub-species of homo sapiens sapiens producing fertile offspring (excluding prolonged selective-breeding with the same genes)?

What circumstances make the percentage less than 100%??
 
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What have you found so far?
 
Trisomi 21 for example...
 
0oZe said:
What's the percentage of sub-species of homo sapiens sapiens producing fertile offspring (excluding prolonged selective-breeding with the same genes)?

What circumstances make the percentage less than 100%??

Emphasis mine, we have no sub-species.
 
0oZe said:
What's the percentage of sub-species of homo sapiens sapiens producing fertile offspring (excluding prolonged selective-breeding with the same genes)?

What circumstances make the percentage less than 100%??

What ryan_m_b said. There are no extant subspecies of H. sapiens. H. sapiens idaltu is the only other subspecies other than H. sapiens sapiens. Neanderthals were considered to be a sister subspecies, but they were later found to in fact be a separate species. The molecular evidence from the Neanderthal Genome Project confirms this. There has been some interbreeding between H. neanderthalensis and our species, but this is contentious because of the likelihood of the human DNA contamination in the Neanderthal samples. As far as I know, the Neanderthal genes in the human genome (about 0-5%) do not cause any pre- or post-zygotic reproductive barriers among humans.
 
ryan_m_b said:
Emphasis mine, we have no sub-species.
I was hoping he'd google and see that homo sapiens sapiens is the sub species of homo sapiens.
 

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