[Molecular-evolution] Human Chromosome Two: Evidence of First-degree Consanguity in Human Evolution

[Ron Larson]

Dear Dr. Rowell,

I read your interesting reply to Jamie Love's question about chromosome 2 fusion in humans and the necessity, or lack of it,  for inbreeding to achieve successful mating.  If there is no reproductive barrier or reduction in fertility in many cases,  then should it not be rather common for a species to have variation in numbers of chromosomes, just as there is variation in other heritable characteristics that are not strongly selected against?   But this does not seem to be the case.

Ron

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Ron Larson

Chair, and GG Brown Professor of Chemical Engineering

Professor of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering

Dept. of Chem. Engng.

2300 Hayward

Univ. of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136

rla...@umich.edu

734 936-0772

FAX 734 763-0459

http://www.engin.umich.edu/dept/cheme/people/larson.html