Evolution of mitochondrial DNA in monkeys, apes, and humans

Bibliographic Data

ID8317448
AuthorsJ N Spuhler (Los Alamos National Laboratory, corresponding author)
Year1988
Volume31
IssueS9
Pages15-48
Publication date1988-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.1330310504
OpenAlexW2057447532
LanguageEN
Citations received30
References cited117

The size of the primate single mitochondrial DNA molecular ring, the genetic technology for obtaining pure samples, the use of nucleotide sequence and restriction endonuclease analyses, and the relatively rapid rate of evolution make mtDNA variation useful for microevolutionary studies within and between species despite the informational content of the 37 genes being restricted to one locus because of complete linkage. The data on chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons support the hypothesis that the two African apes are the closest living biological relatives of humans and favor a closer relation of chimpanzees and humans than of gorillas and humans. The data support the origin of Homo sapiens by regional phyletic transition from H. erectus, starting in Africa in the Middle Pleistocene, and oppose the hypothesis of rapid world-wide replacement by migration from a single source. The human continental races share a majority of both their mitochondrial and nuclear gene pools

Biological evolution · Biology · Evolutionary biology · Gene · Geography · Gorilla · Hominidae · Homo erectus · Homo sapiens · Human evolution · Locus (genetics) · Mitochondrial DNA · Old World · Phyletic gradualism · Phylogenetics · Pleistocene · Primate · Zoology · Bat Biology and Ecology Studies · Ecology · Evolution and Paleontology Studies · Genetics · Paleontology · Primate Behavior and Ecology