- #1
nobahar
- 497
- 2
Hello!
I am trying to piece together an understanding of the two concepts, the most recent common ancestor and Mitochondrial Eve.
I would like to know if there is a distinction between sexes, because it seems as though the most recent common ancestor could be a male, a female, or both (a 'mate for life' pair). This is because a male could have mated with numerous females. If he is the only male to have descendants alive today, then he will be the most recent common MALE ancestor to everyone alive today. But having mated with a number of females, this means that there is no one female of that time same period who is a most recent common FEMALE ancestor. For our Greatn grandfather's Birthday, we will all meet for a big party at the same house, for our Greatn Grandmother's Birthday, we'll be at different places perhaps on different days. Moving backwards to find the common ancestor of those females with whom the male mated, would identify the most recent common FEMALE ancestor of all those alive today. It could of course be the other way round, with one female mating with several males. In this case, the most recent common FEMALE ancestor to everyone alive today would be this female, but the males with whom she mated would not be the most recent common MALE ancestor. We'll all meet for our Greatm Grandmother's birthday, but not all of us will meet for Greatm Grandfather's Birthday. Again, going back to find the common ancestor of the males would identify the most recent common MALE ancestor. Finally, the most recent common ancestors of all of us may have be a conjugally faithful pair, whom we all can call our Greatp grandparents.
Another issue I have is with Mitochondrial Eve. Surely, Mitochondrial Eve is the most recent FEMALE common ancestor? If she wasn’t, then other females would have descendants alive today. Yet Wiki (although I may have misunderstood) seems to suggest that they are not the same thing.
I fear I am completely misguided in my reasoning. I’ll hopefully pop back once I’ve had more time to think about it, but any input would be helpful.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
I am trying to piece together an understanding of the two concepts, the most recent common ancestor and Mitochondrial Eve.
I would like to know if there is a distinction between sexes, because it seems as though the most recent common ancestor could be a male, a female, or both (a 'mate for life' pair). This is because a male could have mated with numerous females. If he is the only male to have descendants alive today, then he will be the most recent common MALE ancestor to everyone alive today. But having mated with a number of females, this means that there is no one female of that time same period who is a most recent common FEMALE ancestor. For our Greatn grandfather's Birthday, we will all meet for a big party at the same house, for our Greatn Grandmother's Birthday, we'll be at different places perhaps on different days. Moving backwards to find the common ancestor of those females with whom the male mated, would identify the most recent common FEMALE ancestor of all those alive today. It could of course be the other way round, with one female mating with several males. In this case, the most recent common FEMALE ancestor to everyone alive today would be this female, but the males with whom she mated would not be the most recent common MALE ancestor. We'll all meet for our Greatm Grandmother's birthday, but not all of us will meet for Greatm Grandfather's Birthday. Again, going back to find the common ancestor of the males would identify the most recent common MALE ancestor. Finally, the most recent common ancestors of all of us may have be a conjugally faithful pair, whom we all can call our Greatp grandparents.
Another issue I have is with Mitochondrial Eve. Surely, Mitochondrial Eve is the most recent FEMALE common ancestor? If she wasn’t, then other females would have descendants alive today. Yet Wiki (although I may have misunderstood) seems to suggest that they are not the same thing.
I fear I am completely misguided in my reasoning. I’ll hopefully pop back once I’ve had more time to think about it, but any input would be helpful.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.