Representation of the changes in morphological diversity along the evolutionary history of the Neanderthal clade (IMAGE)
Caption
Schematic representation of the changes in morphological diversity along the evolutionary history of the Neanderthal clade. Sima de los Huesos and, particularly, Krapina populations show similarly large amounts of morphological variation, thus suggesting continuity during the Middle Pleistocene. Later, classic Neanderthals instead appear much less diverse, hence hinting for the presence of a drop in phenotypic variation right after the temperature maximum reached around 120.000 years ago, and at the beginning of the Last Glacial cycle.
Credit
Alessandro Urciuoli (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)
Usage Restrictions
Credit must be given to the creator.
License
CC BY