Draw a phylogeny of major populations of modern humans that would reject the out-of-Africa hypothesis.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the out-of-Africa hypothesis, which suggests that modern humans originated in Africa and then dispersed to other parts of the world, replacing local populations of archaic humans.
2. To reject the out-of-Africa hypothesis, consider a phylogeny where modern humans evolved independently in different regions outside Africa, from local archaic human populations.
3. Examine the provided image, which shows a 'bushy tree' interpretation of human evolution. This suggests multiple branches and interactions among different Homo species, such as H. habilis, H. erectus, H. heidelbergensis, and H. neanderthalensis.
4. Construct a phylogeny where H. sapiens evolved from regional populations of H. erectus or H. heidelbergensis in different parts of the world, rather than solely from an African lineage.
5. Include evidence of interbreeding between H. sapiens and other Homo species, such as H. neanderthalensis, to support the idea of regional evolution and gene flow, which contrasts with the replacement model of the out-of-Africa hypothesis.

Key Concepts

Out-of-Africa Hypothesis

The Out-of-Africa hypothesis posits that modern humans (Homo sapiens) originated in Africa and then dispersed to other parts of the world, replacing local archaic human populations. This theory is supported by genetic evidence showing greater genetic diversity in African populations, suggesting a longer period of human evolution there. It contrasts with the multiregional hypothesis, which suggests simultaneous evolution in different regions.

Phylogenetic Trees

Phylogenetic trees are diagrams that depict the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics. These trees help illustrate the concept of common ancestry and can show how species have diverged over time. In the context of human evolution, they can be used to trace the lineage of modern humans and their relationship with other hominins.

Multiregional Hypothesis

The multiregional hypothesis suggests that modern humans evolved from archaic human populations in multiple regions of the world simultaneously, with continuous gene flow between these populations. This theory implies that regional characteristics of ancient humans contributed to the genetic makeup of modern humans. It contrasts with the Out-of-Africa hypothesis, which emphasizes a single origin and subsequent migration.