Neanderthal Genetic Diversity Plummeted 110,000 Years Ago

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Scientists discovered Neanderthals faced a severe population crash 110,000 years ago that may have set the stage for their eventual extinction.

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Researchers analyzed inner ear structures from 30 Neanderthal fossils spanning 400,000 years to track genetic diversity through time.

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The study revealed a dramatic drop in genetic diversity between early Neanderthals (130,000 years ago) and later "classic" Neanderthals.

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"The reduction in diversity between the Krapina sample and classic Neanderthals is especially striking and clear," said researcher Mercedes Conde-Valverde.

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Surprisingly, pre-Neanderthals from 430,000 years ago showed similar genetic diversity to early Neanderthals, challenging previous theories about their evolution.

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The population crash coincided with major climate shifts in Europe, potentially making Neanderthals more vulnerable to environmental changes and disease.

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This genetic bottleneck occurred 70,000 years before Neanderthals went extinct but likely weakened their ability to adapt to later challenges.

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The innovative study used inner ear bones as a proxy for genetic diversity when DNA preservation was impossible in the oldest fossils.

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