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The evolution of human skin pigmentation involved the interactions of genetic, environmental, and cultural variables
Abstract
The primary biological role of human skin pigmentation is as a mediator of penetration of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) into the deep layers of skin and the cutaneous circulation. Since the origin of Homo sapiens, dark, protective constitutive pigmentation and strong tanning abilities have been favored under conditions of high UVR and represent the baseline condition for modern humans. The evolution of partly depigmented skin and variable tanning abilities has occurred multiple times in prehistory, as populations have dispersed into environments with lower and more seasonal UVR regimes, with unique complements of genes and cultural practices. The evolution of extremes of dark pigmentation and depigmentation has been rare and occurred only under conditions of extremely high or low environmental UVR, promoted by positive selection on variant pigmentation genes followed by limited gene flow. Over time, the evolution of human skin pigmentation has been influenced by the nature and course of human dispersals and modifications of cultural practices, which have modified the nature and actions of skin pigmentation genes. Throughout most of prehistory and history, the evolution of human skin pigmentation has been a contingent and non‐deterministic process.
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Adaptation of skin to the prevailing UV regime based on latitude, altitude, environment, and culture is an example of a polymorphism acquired during human expansion into challenging environments.
“and the example most germane to the present thesis, adaptation of skin to the prevailing UV regime based on latitude, altitude, environment, and culture (Jablonski, 2021; Lucock et al., 2014).”
From The evolution of human skin pigmentation: A changing medley of vitamins, genetic variability, and UV radiation during human expansion (2023) · cites this paper as Jablonski, 2021
Eumelanin concentrated in keratinocytes in the epidermal stratum basale would or does protect folate from UVR degradation, improving fertility and buffering the stochastic nature of dietary folate.
“Eumelanin concentrated in keratinocytes in the epidermal stratum basale would/does protect folate from UVR degradation, improving fertility and buffering the stochastic nature of dietary folate”
From The evolution of human skin pigmentation: A changing medley of vitamins, genetic variability, and UV radiation during human expansion (2023) · cites this paper as Jablonski, 2021
Different pigment-gene variant combinations lead to different coloration phenotypes.
“different pigment‐gene variant combinations lead to different coloration phenotypes (Jablonski & Chaplin, 2017; Jablonski, 2021)”
From The evolution of human skin pigmentation: A changing medley of vitamins, genetic variability, and UV radiation during human expansion (2023) · cites this paper as Jablonski, 2021
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Lucock, M. D. (2023) · American Journal of Biological Anthropology · doi:10.1002/ajpa.24564 · Cited by 35
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Metadata
- Authors
- Jablonski, N. G.
- Affiliations
- Department of Anthropology The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
- ORCID
- Jablonski, Nina G.
- Venue
- Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2021-05-04
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 707-729
- ISSN
- 1755-1471
- 1755-148X
- PMC
- PMC8359960
- Cited by
- 87
- References
- 29
- Language
- en
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