iHomo floresiensis/i and iHomo luzonensis/i are not temporally exceptional relative to iHomo erectus/i

0583962 - BC 2024 RIV US eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Roberts, D.L. - Jaric, Ivan - Lycett, S.J. - Flicker, D. - Key, A.
iHomo floresiensis/i and iHomo luzonensis/i are not temporally exceptional relative to iHomo erectus/i.
Journal of Quaternary Science. Roč. 38, č. 4 (2023), s. 463-470. ISSN 0267-8179. E-ISSN 1099-1417
Institucionální podpora: RVO:60077344
Klíčová slova: late pleistocene * middle pleistocene * hominin * species association
Obor OECD: Archaeology
Impakt faktor: 2.3, rok: 2022
Způsob publikování: Open access
https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.3498

The presence of Homo floresiensis and Homo luzonensis in southeast Asia 90,000 to 60,000 years ago is considered surprising by many, and has been used to support their designation as unique species and the islands they were discovered on as refugia. Here, we statistically test the null hypothesis that H. floresiensis and H. luzonensis represent temporally uninterrupted occurrences relative to Homo erectus. We do this using the 'surprise test' for the exceptionality of a new record. Results demonstrate that H. floresiensis and H. luzonensis are not temporally distinct relative to H. erectus. Their late persistence should, therefore, not be considered surprising, they cannot reliably be inferred to be outside of H. erectus' temporal range, and temporally the islands of Luzon and Flores are not supported as refugia. Similarly, late H. erectus at Ngandong, Java, is not demonstrated to be temporally distinct relative to earlier, principally mainland-Asian, H. erectus. Further, we demonstrate that substantial numbers of fossil discoveries would be needed before H. floresiensis and H. luzonensis are outside of H. erectus' expected temporal range. If H. floresiensis and H. luzonensis are descended from H. erectus populations, our results point toward either geographic processes of allopatric speciation or behavioural processes leading to a sympatric speciation event.
Trvalý link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0351948