Group - Mitochondrial Eve

Mitochondrial Eve (mt-mrca) is the name given by researchers to the woman who is defined as the matrilineal most recent common ancestor (MRCA) for all currently living humans. Passed down from mother to offspring, derivatives of her mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are now found in all living humans: all mtDNA in every living person is derived from hers. Mitochondrial Eve is the female counterpart of Y-chromosomal Adam, the patrilineal most recent common ancestor, although they lived at different times. Mitochondrial Eve is believed to have lived between 150,000 to 250,000 years BP, probably in East Africa, in the region of Tanzania and areas to the immediate south and west. The individual lived during a period of time when Homo sapiens were developing as a species separate from other hominid species. As an individual she lived in a small population (between 4000 and 5000 females capable of producing offspring at any given time). Mitochondrial Eve would have been roughly contemporary with humans whose fossils have been found in Ethiopia near the Omo river and at Hertho. Mitochondrial Eve lived significantly earlier than the out of Africa migration which might have occurred some 95,000 - 60,000 years ago. However, Qafzeh-type anatomically modern humans have been noted in Western Asia as early as 125,000 years ago and their lithic culture was continuous from 200,000 years ago. Also few archaeological sites in Asia suggest migration beyond South Asia occurred >76,000 years ago. For more information on the principles involved, see matrilineal descent and genetic genealogy (matrilineal).