[Taxacom] Toba extinction and orangutans

[Ken Kinman]

Dear All,
      I was watching NOVA tonight about the megavolcanic eruption of Toba 
ca. 71,000-74,000 years ago.  It is known to have caused a large bottleneck 
in the genetic diversity of humanity way over in Africa.  The deforestation 
of much of southeast Asia would probably have wiped any orangutans in 
Sumatra, Borneo, or even the adjacent mainland.  I just wonder---how far 
away the surviving populations of orangutans would have had to have been.  
Perhaps Burma or even India?
    The genetic bottleneck for orangutans must have been even greater than 
it was for humans.  So it occurred to me that this could conceivably 
complicate the genetic study of great ape evolution.  Not that it convinces 
me one way or the other, but it certainly is worth considering.
   ----Cheers,
          Ken Kinman