Neanderthal stapes found

Adam Khor

Adds to the evidence that they were a completely different species:

http://phys.org/news/2015-03-stapes-neanderthal-child-anatomical-differences.html

Wibbs

Well, we could have kids with each other so completely different species I'd reckon is a stretch. Though there was enough of a genetic gap that hybrids had some fertility issues. We weren't as close as dogs and wolves, more like dogs and coyotes.

Adam Khor

I've never liked that definition of species (the "if they can produce offspring together they're the same species thing). Tigers and lions are most obviously different species yet they can produce hybrids, sometimes even fertile ones. But they act, look, sound and are genetically different and have been for over three million years.

Wibbs

Aye but it's a very rare event AK and successive breedings are almost entirely sterile. I would agree on the same species idea. After all a great Dane and a Pug are most definitely the same species, but in practical terms… I would call us and Neandertals(and others) a little closer than that. We obviously had enough genetic commonality where we got it on and left 4 odd % of their genetics in us today(and much higher in the past. QV Otzi). We were sub species of each anyway. Not unlike dogs and coyotes.