I came up with the "companion-species" hypothesis the other day, which builds on a 2012 study published in nature.com that 15% of the human genome is closer to gorilla than chimpanzee, as well as the 2007 study on the Pthirus gorillae host switch from ancestors of gorilla to ancestors of humans 3.3 Ma.
Basically, the idea is that eusociality could have evolved as a response to a natural hierarchy arising between Australopithecines and a companion-species, which was a hybrid. Paranthropus shares morhpological traits with gorillae, and has puzzled scientists for decades.
Humans are the only mammal that are eusocial, and so, would possibly have had an evolutionary history that is unlike any other mammal.
- "The cave was discovered in 1948, and initial excavations were carried out by paleontologist Robert Broom. His team uncovered several remains of Paranthropus robustus and early Homo species. It was the first site at which both Paranthropus and Homo had been found together, indicating that they were contemporary.[4] "
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swartkrans
some cool fact's to know thanks for sharing once again
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That is a very interesting theory you have there! You should develop it more and look for more evidence that supports it or possibly evidence that might contradict aspects of it so you can keep developing it.
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The next step would be to look when the gene transfer from gorilla to human happened. It is often conceived to be by indirect lineage sorting (ILS) from 9 million years ago, and in the companion-species hypothesis it would be by 3.3 million years ago, when the Pthirus gorillae host switch happened.
Insights into hominid evolution from the gorilla genome sequence - nature.com (2012)
Pair of lice lost or parasites regained: the evolutionary history of anthropoid primate lice (2007)
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I have to be honest, some of this is flying right over my head as I don't know as much as I'd like to about these subjects. I hope you wouldn't mind a question or two? :)
How do you get to the 3.3m years figure with your companion species theory?
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The idea that Pthirus gorilla spread to extant humans via a host switch 3.3 million years ago
Pair of lice lost or parasites regained: the evolutionary history of anthropoid primate lice (2007)
I came across that around 4 months ago. The host switch never really made sense, but then I came across the idea that 15% of the human genome is closer to gorilla than chimpanzee, around a month ago maybe
Insights into hominid evolution from the gorilla genome sequence - nature.com (2012)
And since pubic lice usually spread through sexual contact, the idea is that the gene transfer from gorilla could have been 3.3 million years ago, instead of 9 million years ago (via indirect lineage sorting from the last common ancestor)
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