ISSN:
1824-310X
Keywords:
thermoregulation
;
Bergmann's rule
;
hominine morphology
;
hunting
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Climatic determinism is an established hypothesis to explain phenotypic selection of hominine physique. Adaptations to heat and cold stress are, however, probably physiological rather than morphological. This paper advances an alternative hypothesis which relegates the influence of the climate to an indirect role only. Athletes select themselves into events for which their physiques are appropriate. ‘Field eventers’ are, in Sheldon's terminology, mesomorphic and ectopenic (muscular and lacking in linearity). ‘Track eventers’ other than sprinters, have balanced physiques and are ectomorphic (linear). Distance runners are usually small and walkers tall. All are endopenic (lacking in the fat component). The physique of the northern (Inuit and Gurkhas) and southern (Bantu and San) study populations had morphological affinities with the physiques of the field and track eveters respectively. Northern populations, hunting megafauna over hilly terrain and sometimes through snow, need physiques of strength in body and leg. Southern populations, running down medium-size game, need the physique of distance runners. The physique of these contemporary populations may therefore be explained in terms of adaptations to the recent demands of hunting a particular range of fauna in a given physicogeographical environment. The pleomorphism and relative endomorphy of the White subjects can be explained by the relative sedentism associated with the adoption of agriculture. The hypothesis also explains the extreme physiques of Pygmies and Nilotics. The thermoregulatory and the alternative ‘task demand’ hypotheses, however, are not incompatible. The small size of the San hunter, for example, whilst having an undoubted biomechanical advantage, will assist rather than hinder thermoregulation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02438931
Permalink
