DNA and recent human evolution

摘要: The study of recent human evolution, or the origin modern humans, is currently dominated by two theories. African hypothesis holds that there was a single humans in Africa about 100,000 years ago, after which these dispersed throughout rest world, mixing little not at all with nonmodern populations. multiregional evolution no but, instead, mutations and other traits led to were spread concert old world gene flow, leading genetic continuity among populations during past million years. Although both theories are based on observations stemming from fossil record, much discussion controversy six has focused application interpretation studies DNA variation, particularly mitochondrial (mtDNA). year, especially, brought new data, interpretations, controversies. Indeed, I initially resisted writing this review, grounds information would be likely render it obsolete time published. However, now dust starting settle, seems timely review various investigations interpretations where they lead. While focus mtDNA story, brief mention made nuclear variation (both autosomal Y-chromosome DNA) implications data regard record our understanding evolution.