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Episode 17. Island Syndrome Part 3: The Hobbit
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-19:54

Episode 17. Island Syndrome Part 3: The Hobbit

Thyroid phenotypes drove the evolution of dwarf hominins of Flores Island, Homo floresiensis

Island syndrome is the biological term used to describe the tendency for unique island vertebrates to possess different body size and limb proportions compared to mainland ancestors. I contend that the individual thyroid hormone phenotype of mainland founders determines the life history traits and body size of island descendants, even for our Homo erectus relatives who colonized islands.

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