Application of a Hypothesis to Speciation in Hominidae

George Edward Parris

Abstract


I have previously hypothesized that biological species are not the result of gradual changes in the genome or morphology as suggested by Darwin, but rather the result of punctuated major pericentric or paracentric inversions or other rearrangements (e.g., chromosome fusions) that prevent reproductive compatibility with the parent group.  Following the rearrangement, a new nascent species can be formed through inbreeding within two generations consistent with the views of Goldschmidt.  Applying this hypothesis to speciation in Hominidae (the great apes) suggests that (i) orangutans are close to the common ancestor of Hominidae; (ii) humans are close to the common ancestor of Hominoids, which was adapted for efficient all-terrain locomotion; (iii) gorillas and chimpanzees have passed though more species as they have adapted to a very specialized ecological niche in the tropical forest, and (iv) speciation events in Homo facilitated evolution of the human brain.      


Keywords


Evolution, Chimpanzee, Human, Species, Pericentric Inversion, Brain

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References


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