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Evolutionary perspectives on human height variation.

Gert Stulp1,2, Louise Barrett3,4

  • 1Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, U.K.

Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
|December 23, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human height, a heritable and variable trait, is reviewed from an evolutionary perspective. Evidence suggests past and ongoing natural and sexual selection, though gaps in knowledge remain.

Keywords:
developmentecologyenvironmentevolutiongeneticsheighthumannatural selectionreproductive successsexual selection

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Area of Science:

  • Human evolutionary biology
  • Anthropometry
  • Behavioral genetics

Background:

  • Human height is a variable, heritable trait influencing social interactions.
  • Existing knowledge on human height is fragmented, lacking a systematic, evolutionary synthesis.
  • Height's significance extends beyond physical stature, impacting societal perceptions and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive, synthetic review of human height literature from an evolutionary standpoint.
  • To examine the phylogenetic history, developmental, environmental, and genetic factors influencing human stature.
  • To assess evidence for past and ongoing natural and sexual selection acting on human height.

Main Methods:

  • Synthetic literature review integrating diverse research on human height.
  • Analysis of evolutionary perspectives on height variation and its influences.
  • Evaluation of evidence for natural and sexual selection pressures on height.

Main Results:

  • Human height exhibits significant variation influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
  • Evidence suggests natural selection has acted on human height historically.
  • Contemporary populations may still experience natural and sexual selection related to height, though conclusive evidence is limited.

Conclusions:

  • Selection pressures on human height are evident, primarily via life-history processes.
  • Methodological limitations and knowledge gaps reduce confidence in definitive conclusions.
  • Caution is advised when interpreting evolutionary adaptiveness of highly visible traits like height.