The importance of including ethnically diverse populations in studies of quantitative trait evolution

For many traits, human variation is less a matter of categorical differences than quantitative variation, such as height, where individuals fall along a continuum from short to tall. Most recent studies utilize large population-based samples with whole-genome sequences to study the evolution of these traits and have made significant progress implementing a broad spectrum of techniques. However, relatively few studies of quantitative trait evolution include ethnically diverse populations, which often harbor the highest levels of genetic and phenotypic diversity. Thus, our ability to draw inferences about quantitative trait adaptation has been limited. Here, we review recent studies examining human quantitative trait adaptation, and argue that including ethnically diverse populations, particularly from Africa, will be especially informative for our understanding of how humans adapt to the world around them.