CX

I apologize for my ignorance. My background is more in study of the NT so my understanding of evolutionary biology etc. is somewhat sketchy. My understanding is that species are defined by being reproductively isolated from other closely related species. On the other hand I've read recent speculation that Neandertals interbred with H. Sapiens from the Cro-Magnon culture in Europe. How is that possible? Is Neandertal a different species from H Sapiens or just a regional morphological variation on H. Sapiens?

Ergaster

Depends on who you ask. Many paleoanthropologists (i.e. Chris Stringer, or Ian Tattersall, and a number of others) believe that Neandertals were morphologically (and genetically, based on recent studies) distinct enough to warrant being called a separate species.

Others (i.e. Erik Trinkaus, Joao Zilhao, Milford Wolpoff and others) just as firmly believe that Neandertals did contribute to modern European populations and should be regarded as a subspecies of Homo sapiens, i.e. H. sapiens neanderthalensis.

It's a highly polarized debate within the discipline, and not likely to be resolved any time soon.

Arken

A more interesting question in my mind is whether or not Basque people, who have a unique blood type and bone structure are a separate species. I realize that this raises civil rights questions which I wouldn't want to get into though.

CX

This raises another question in my mind. What exactly is a subspecies? Which is to say, why make the distinction? I'm thinking of the usual creationist argument that X is just a different looking man/chimp kind of thing.

Amen-Moses

My understanding is that although the two species could breed the offspring were most likely infertile like mules.

The latest DNA testing seems to indicate that no Neanderthal specific DNA can be identified in modern humans although I'm not sure how much DNA was available for testing (and I don't know how they made sure that what they were testing was a pure Neanderthal and not a hybrid).

Amen-Moses

CX

That seems to me largely due to anthropocentrism and the ridiculous notion that we are somehow at the top of an imaginary evolutionary ladder. I've often wondered if there were not different species (or subspecies if I understand the term) of human beings.

Godless Dave

Can non-Basques and Basques have children together? Are the children generally fertile?

Monkey

Does anyone have any extra info on these Basques?

MortalWombat

The Basque people do not have a unique blood type. They have a higher incidence of type O blood, Rh negative blood, and a much lower incidence of type B blood than the rest of Europe, but it is in no way a "unique" blood type. I haven't heard anything about their bone structure being outside of normal human variation. Their uniqueness is their language, which does not seem to be related to the Indo-European group, or to any other language at all if I recall.

Arken

Yes, but that does not mean they are not a separate species. Dogs and Wolves can interbreed and have fertile offspring for example.