Submitted by TheBloxyBloxGuy t3_11mdtz4 in askscience
CMxFuZioNz t1_jbiwuuq wrote
Reply to comment by shagieIsMe in Is there a fertile creature with an odd number of chromosomes? by TheBloxyBloxGuy
"leading to our extinction" is a bit dramatic.
The y chromosome is decreasing because there's either pressure to do so, or no pressure to stop it.
If the y chromosome disappearing meant that our species started to decline, then there would be pressure to either find a new sex determination method as has happened in the rodents or simply continue on with the y chromosome. There's no existential threat.
actuallyserious650 t1_jbj44x4 wrote
I read it as leading to men’s extinction since they go on to talk about the rats.
[deleted] t1_jbj4eyb wrote
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Average_Cat_Lover t1_jbj4q18 wrote
> The y chromosome is decreasing because there's either pressure to do so, or no pressure to stop it.
It seems that sex chromosomes (as well as "parasitic" beta chromosomes) are always under a pressure to degrade over time. But, IIRC there is also a counter-pressure for new chromosomes to arise before this.
[deleted] t1_jbj54xc wrote
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