The Spanish Habsburg family was a ruling force in Europe from 1516-1700. The family acquired territory through a series of calculated marriages and then maintained their power by typically marrying within the family. The Spanish Habsburg line ended with the death of King Charles II, and his failure to produce heirs to the throne. The genetic deformities suffered by numerous Habsburgs highlight the dangerous consequences of inbreeding. The noticeable facial abnormalities, most commonly seen as the uncommonly low jaw, are side effectives of the intermarriages in the family. Inbreeding results in a lower gene pool, and ramifications such as those commonly seen in the Habsburg: family infertility, facial asymmetry, immune issues and high infant mortality rates.
No comments:
Post a Comment