Is LB1 diseased or modern? A review of the proposed pathologies

Gene. 2013 Oct 1;528(1):12-20. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.06.010. Epub 2013 Jun 20.

Abstract

The fossil remains of Homo floresiensis have been debated extensively over the past few years. This paper gives a review of the various pathologies ascribed to LB1, the type specimen of H. floresiensis, and associated individuals. This paper will assess the arguments for growth anomalies, microcephaly, Laron syndrome and cretinism. Additionally, some of the analyses done by proponents of the pathology theory will be methodologically evaluated. Subsequently, a brief overview of the alternative hypotheses regarding the origin of H. floresiensis will be given.

Keywords: Homo floresiensis; Hypothyroid/Myxoedematous cretinism; Laron syndrome; M; MCPH; Ma; Martin (1914); Microcephaly; P(4); PC; PCA; Pathology; autosomal recessive primary microcephaly; cc; cubic centimetre; ka; lower fourth premolar; million years ago; principal component; principal component analysis; thousand years ago.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fossils*
  • Hominidae*
  • Humans
  • Mandible / pathology
  • Microcephaly / pathology
  • Skull / pathology*