Jump to content

Was Y-Chromosomal Adam a polygamist?

Lrrr
in Evolution, Morphology and Exobiology

Featured Replies

If Mitochondrial Eve is 50,000+ years older than Y-Chromosomal Adam, does that mean he was a polygamist?

 

After all, all humans descend from Y-Chromosomal Adam, but not all people descend from his first wife, right? Hence Mitochondrial Eve being a woman from much earlier.

 

Or am I misunderstanding something?

If Mitochondrial Eve is 50,000+ years older than Y-Chromosomal Adam, does that mean he was a polygamist?

 

After all, all humans descend from Y-Chromosomal Adam, but not all people descend from his first wife, right? Hence Mitochondrial Eve being a woman from much earlier.

 

Or am I misunderstanding something?

 

He had to have more than one son. There is no requirement that he reproduced with more than one woman.

 

Polygamy and the fact that males can have more offspring does explain the 50,000 year gap, but you cannot necessarily "blame" the current Adam.

Edited by J.C.MacSwell

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.