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Cross-cultural estimation of the human generation interval for use in genetics- based population divergence studies
Open accessAbstract
The length of the human generation interval is a key parameter when using genetics to date population divergence events. However, no consensus exists regarding the generation interval length, and a wide variety of interval lengths have been used in recent studies. This makes comparison between studies difficult, and questions the accuracy of divergence date estimations. Recent genealogy-based research suggests that the male generation interval is substantially longer than the female interval, and that both are greater than the values commonly used in genetics studies. This study evaluates each of these hypotheses in a broader cross-cultural context, using data from both nation states and recent hunter-gatherer societies. Both hypotheses are supported by this study; therefore, revised estimates of male, female, and overall human generation interval lengths are proposed. The nearly universal, cross-cultural nature of the evidence justifies using these proposed estimates in Y-chromosomal, mitochondrial, and autosomal DNA-based population divergence studies.
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“Using the standard 28 years per generation (an average across paternal and maternal age for each child born over a lifetime), yields a founding date of 952 years from the sampling date, or 1069 AD (20, 21, 22).”
From Message in a bottleneck: Nested founder effects from French Polynesia to Rapa Nui and Hawaiʻi (2026) · cites this paper as [21]
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“This may help explain why the mean age difference between men and women at the time of their first marriage in 191 national populations and traditional societies is 3.5 years (105).”
From Emerging Adulthood, a Pre-adult Life-History Stage (2020) · cites this paper as [105]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Fenner, J. N.
- Affiliations
- University of Wyoming (US)
- Corresponding author
- Fenner, Jack N.
- ORCID
- Fenner, Jack N.
- Venue
- American Journal of Physical Anthropology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-10
- Volume
- 128
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 415-423
- ISSN
- 0002-9483 (ISSN-L)
- 1096-8644
- OpenAlex
- W2084407487
- Cited by
- 508
- References
- 59
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 37 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 36 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 23
- FWCI
- 4.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- American Journal of Physical Anthropology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ANU Open Research (Australian National University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Forensic and Genetic Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic diversity and population structure
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Race, Genetics, and Society
- Keywords
- genealogy, hunter-gatherers, cross-cultural comparison, mitochondrial DNA, autosomal DNA, human population genetics
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Cross-Cultural Comparison, DNA, Mitochondrial, Family Characteristics, Female, Genetics, Population, Humans, Male, Models, Genetic
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