BLUF
Neanderthals and modern humans interbred, but the Neanderthal Y chromosome is absent in modern humans, possibly due to genetic incompatibilities.Summary
- The Neanderthal and modern human lineages separated around 550,000 to 765,000 years ago.
- Interbreeding occurred approximately 47,000 years ago.
- Haldane's Rule suggests infertility in Neanderthal-human male hybrids.
- Health issues in these males might explain missing Neanderthal Y chromosomes.