Homo neanderthalensis

undergraduate thesis

• Author: Veronika Bencerić
• Mentor: Damjan Franjević (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2020-09-17, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Homo neanderthalensis je živio na prostoru Euroazije u ranom i srednjem pleistocenu (prije 250000 - 35000 godina). Cilj ovog seminarskog rada je utvrditi osnovne karakteristike ove vrste.
Neandertalci su se razvili na prostoru Europe iz ranijih hominina (Homo heidelbergensis u ranom pleistocenu prije 400000 godina). S time da najveći broj nalaza potječe iz perioda srednjeg pleistocena. Za taj period karakteristične se periodične izmjene glacijala i interglacijala s klimatskim i ekološkim promjenama. Karakterizira ih robusna građa s kraćim udovima i masivnim torzom. Imaju izdužene lubanje s velikim kranijalnim volumenom i jakim nadočnim izbočenjem.
Neandertalci su živjeli u malim, izoliranim populacijama s ukupnom veličinom populacije ne većom od 3000 jedinki. Živjeli su u špiljama ili u privremenim nastambama na otvorenom prostoru blizu izvora vode, hrane i materijala. Neandertalci su bili spretni u izradi kamenog oruđa koje se često nalazi na arheološkim nalazištima u asocijaciji s kostima. Bili su vješti lovci čija se prehrana uglavnom sastojala od mesa velikih životinja. Namjerno su pokapali svoje mrtve.
U zapadnoj Aziji (i kasnije u Europi) došlo je do kontakata i križanja neandertalaca i modernih ljudi koji su izašli iz Afrike. Današnji moderni ljudi neafričkog porijekla nose 1- 4% neandertalskih gena u svom genomu. Ti geni uglavnom imaju ulogu u imunosustavu i pigmentaciji i vjerojatno su modernim ljudima dali prednost prilikom adaptacije na nove ekološke uvijete i patogene.

Abstract (english)

Homo neanderthalensis lived in Eurasia in early and middle Pleistocene (250000 - 35000 BP). The goal of this paper is to review basic characteristics of this hominin species.
Neanderthals evolved in Europe from earlier hominin populations (Homo heidelbergensis) in Europe in early Pleistocene (400000 BP). The majority of Neanderthal sites date from middle Pleistocene. The periodic exchange of glacials and interglacials is characteristic for this period. A robust build with shorter arms and legs and a massive torso is characteristic of the species. They had elongated skulls, big cranial capacity with pronounced brow ridges.
Neanderthals lived in small, isolated populations with effective population size of 3000 individuals. They lived in caves or open-air sites near the source of water, food and raw materials. They were skilled in crafting of stone tools, which can be found in abundance at Neanderthal sites. They were also skilled hunters and their diet consisted mostly of meat. Neanderthals practiced deliberate burial of the dead.
Neanderthals and modern humans came into contact and interbreed in West Asia and later in Europe. 1 - 4% genes of present-day non-Africans are Neanderthal genes with functions in immune response and pigmentation. Neanderthal genes probably helped modern humans in adapting to new ecological conditions and pathogens.

• Keywords: evolucija; Homo neanderthalensis
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:354444
• Study programme: Title: Ecology; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) biologije (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2020-09-21 13:04:12