How a Homo Goes Extinct. Climatic Change and the Demise of Our Ancestors

摘要: At least six different Homo species populated the World during latest Pliocene to Pleistocene. The extinction of all but one them is currently shrouded in mystery, and no consistent explanation has yet been advanced, despite enormous importance matter. We used a high-resolution past climate emulator an extensive fossil database spanning 2752 archaeological records model climatic niche evolution Homo. found strong, statistically robust evidence that three representing terminating, independent lineages, H.erectus, H. heidelbergensis, neanderthalensis lost significant portion their space became particularly vulnerable change just before extinction. increased risk was probably exacerbated by competition with sapiens case Neanderthals. This study demonstrates pervasive factor species, great ecological plasticity cognitive abilities.