Browsing by Author "Schroeder, Lauren"

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    Hybridization in human evolution: insights from other organisms
    (2018-08-28) Ackermann, Rebecca, Rogers; Arnold, Michael; Baiz, Marcella; Cahill, James; Cortés-Ortiz, Liliana; Evans, Ben; Grant, Rosemary; Grant, Peter; Hallgrimsson, Benedikt; Humphreys, Robyn; Jolly, Clifford; Malukiewicz, Joanna; Percival, Christopher; Ritzman, Terry; Roos, Christian; Roseman, Charles; Schroeder, Lauren; Smith, Fred; Warren, Kerryn; Wayne, Robert; Zinner, Dietmar
    During the late Pleistocene, isolated lineages of hominins exchanged genes thus influencing genomic variation in humans in both the past and present. However, the dynamics of this genetic exchange and associated phenotypic consequences through time remain poorly understood. Gene exchange across divergent lineages can result in myriad outcomes arising from these dynamics and the environmental conditions under which it occurs. Here we draw from our collective research across various organisms, illustrating some of the ways in which gene exchange can structure genomic/phenotypic diversity within/among species. We present a range of examples relevant to questions about the evolution of hominins. These examples are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather illustrative of the diverse evolutionary causes/consequences of hybridization, highlighting potential drivers of human evolution in the context of hybridization including: influences on adaptive evolution, climate change, developmental systems, sex-differences in behavior, Haldane’s rule and the large X-effect, and transgressive phenotypic variation.
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    Upholding "good science" in human origins research: A response to Chan et al (2019)
    (2019-11-06) Ackermann, Rebecca, Rogers; Athreya, Sheela; Black, Wendy; Cabana, Graciela; Hare, Vincent; Pickering, Robyn; Schroeder, Lauren
    The recent publication by Chan et al (2019) entitled “Human origins in a southern African palaeo-wetland and first migrations” fails to meet scientific standards for publication in two ways. First, it neglects its scientific duty to discuss the entire body of scientific evidence around human origins, which leads to unsupportable claims. Second, it reinforces racialized power dynamics within the science of human origins. We argue that the authors would have benefitted from a more diverse team that included social scientists and humanists, and that the editorial process failed to uphold thorough and morally responsible science.