Electronic Resource
Springer
Human evolution
3 (1988), S. 321-327
ISSN:
1824-310X
Keywords:
Non-metric traits
;
natural selection
;
differential mortality
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The hypothesis of this article is that the frequency of non-metric traits varies at different reproductive periods because of differential mortality associated with non-metric traits. 450 male and 203 female crania were examined. Mortality in the reproduction period is connected with the elimination of individuals with certain variants of non-metric traits. It seems that key genes which perform the stimulating function in the appearance of traits in a given category of formation are under selective pressure. It is assumed that natural selection acts both on the morphology of organisms and on developmental process through environmental conditions. Selection not only optimises the fitness of morphological features but also the processes leading to the formation of features during ontogeny. Both these mechanisms influence the interpopulational variability of non-metric traits.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02447213
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