4 ms·

What do the males die of exactly? Not clear to me.

• ceejayoz 5y ago
  Seems like the mutation kills male embryos. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe7389 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe7389 > Survey data revealed tusk-inheritance patterns consistent with an X chromosome–linked dominant, male-lethal trait. Whole-genome scans implicated two candidate genes with known roles in mammalian tooth development (AMELX and MEP1a), including the formation of enamel, dentin, cementum, and the periodontium. One of these loci (AMELX) is associated with an X-linked dominant, male-lethal syndrome in humans that diminishes the growth of maxillary lateral incisors (homologous to elephant tusks).
  • imtringued 5y ago
    Why is it possible for us to have a 50:50 gender ratio? Why haven't mothers that only give birth to girls taken over the world? Do unpaired girls really die that quickly?
    • manquer 5y ago
      Humans have near but exactly 1:1 ( 1.05-1.07 favoring males at birth ). Fisher's principle[1] explains why this 1:1 is common. There is big imbalance problem for humans as well, many cultures prefer male children over females, the two largest countries - India and China have big imbalance for different reasons there is estimated 100 million less girls than boys in these two countries alone as result of sex selection/ infanticide etc . [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher%27s_principle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher%27s_principle