Re: Speciation - how do you know?

Paul Crowley (Paul@crowleyp.demon.co.uk)
Thu, 12 Sep 96 05:26:57 GMT

In article <5140cp$hsl@portal.gmu.edu>
herwin@mason2.gmu.edu "HARRY R. ERWIN" writes:

> H. neanderthalensis had a number of skeletal specializations . . .

Fine, OK, it had a remarkably heavy build, but . . .

> H. neanderthalensis had a number of skeletal specializations
> for close-in combat with large mammals . .

This is sheer fantasy. Combat with aurochs? Or with any large
quadruped? If this was how it normally got a significant proportion
of its food the life expectation of the average H.n. would be very
short.

This is 19th century thinking, Harry. It's time to get out of it.

Paul.