Reconciling Species Concepts: An Ecological Perspective
American Journal of Physical Anthropology,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
186(4)
Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025
ABSTRACT
Species
concepts
remain
contentious,
both
in
paleoanthropology
and
modern
taxonomy.
The
lineage‐based
concept
emphasizing
evolutionary
independence
is
most
fundamental,
but
practice
generally
represented
by
proxy
evidence
of
morphological
or
genetic
divergence.
This
has
resulted
a
troubling
proliferation
species
names
the
hominin
fossil
record.
Pseudo‐extinctions
where
lineages
persisted
under
new
name
need
to
be
distinguished
from
cases
ended
terminally—the
implications
for
ecological
adaptability
are
diametrically
opposed.
Furthermore,
criterion
coexistence
widely
overlooked.
competitive
exclusion
principle
holds
that
sharing
closely
similar
niches
cannot
continue
coexist
same
place
at
time.
Notably,
largely
vegetarian
Paranthropus
lineage
remained
distinct
diverging,
more
versatile
Homo
until
fading
record
during
later
Pleistocene.
Claims
additional
existed
ecologically
suspect
unless
supported
adequate
niche
separation.
Modern
examples
there
been
equivocation
recognition
illustrated
bovids,
giraffids,
baboons,
elephants.
mechanisms
displacement
Neanderthals
humans
reappraised
an
perspective.
Representations
divergence
as
bushy
tree
superseded
emerging
paradigm
reticulate
diverging
coalescing
through
time
space.
Язык: Английский
On the scientific credibility of paleoanthropology: Reply to Villmoare and Kimbel
Evolutionary Anthropology Issues News and Reviews,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
33(5)
Опубликована: Июнь 30, 2024
Abstract
Smith
and
Wood
reply
to
Villmoare
Kimbel
regarding
the
scientific
credibility
of
problems
in
paleoanthropology
that
require
causal
explanations
for
unique
historical
events.
Язык: Английский
Why did the human brain size evolve? A way forward
Опубликована: Авг. 28, 2024
Why
the
human
brain
size
evolved
has
been
a
major
evolutionary
puzzle
since
Darwin
but
addressing
it
challenging.
A
key
reason
is
lack
of
research
tools
to
infer
causes
unique
event
for
which
experiments
are
not
possible.
We
describe
how
analogous
problem
why
there
day
and
night
successfully
addressed
in
physics
learning
from
that
experience,
we
outline
strategy
address
evolved:
hypotheses
expressed
mechanistic
models
yield
quantitative
predictions
developmental
trajectories
body
sizes,
predicted
compared
data,
chosen
by
their
ability
explain
data.
By
pursuing
this
strategy,
present
results
one
model
predicts
six
hominin
species.
compare
these
finding
recovers
multiple
all
aspects
evolution
development.
Counterintuitively,
evolves
as
spandrel,
is,
byproduct
selection
something
else,
specifically,
preovulatory
ovarian
follicles.
Our
analysis
describes
an
alternative
way
forward
evolved.
Язык: Английский