Inbreeding Role in Extinction of the Spanish Habsburg Dynasty

Statistical genetic evidence supports the history-based theory that inbreeding may have played a role in the extinction of the Spanish Habsburg dynasty (1516-1700). This is the conclusion of research reported in an April 15 article in PLoS. The Spanish Habsburg dynasty was characterized by the frequent marrige of close relatives, in such a way that uncle-niece, first cousin, and other consanguineous unions were common. The dynasty ended with the childless death of the physically and mentally disabled Charles II at the age of 39. [PLoS article]