Molecular Methods in Hominin Sex Estimation

The relatively recent developments in ancient DNA (aDNA) and paleoproteomics provide new methods to estimate sex in hominins. Molecular means can provide an alternative to sex estimation when the typical morphological methods are insufficient. This thesis reviews the growth of both fields and the technological innovations that facilitated them, including genome sequencing and mass spectrometry. The various molecular methods for estimating sex are compared and the application of these approaches are examined. The degradation and contamination limitations in both fields as well as the accessibility and affordability for researchers are compared, with paleoproteomics being more feasible. The use of amelogenin in both DNA and proteomics is emphasized in the archaeological contexts. Recovery of enamel proteins through liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry has the furthest reach of molecular methods, informing the sex of specimens nearly 2 million years old. The future of these methods is explored, with aDNA’s potential in the Homo genus and paleoproteomics application with a variety of environmental contexts and at a deep time scale. Lastly, this thesis reflects upon the importance of accurate sex estimation and the role of sexual dimorphism in the hominin record.

Author

• Keefe, Chloe

Language

• English

Keyword

• Amelogenin
• Ancient DNA
• Sex estimation
• Proteomics

Date created

• 2024

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Hominid Paleobiology

Degree

• M.S.

Advisor

• Wood, Bernard A.

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/pz50gx01d