Author(s): ODEA JD

Title: POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION OF LOW ULTRAVIOLET-LIGHT UNDER THE RAIN-FOREST CANOPY TO THE SMALL STATURE OF PYGMIES AND NEGRITOS

Source: HOMO 44 (3): 284-287

Date: 1994 JAN

Document Type: Journal : Article

Language: English

LCR: 0   CR: 12   LCS: 0   GCS: 1

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Reprint: ODEA, JD, DEPT PRIMARY IND & ENERGY,BARTON,ACT 2600,AUSTRALIA.

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Abstract: A number of physiological and ecological explanations have been discussed for the small stature of Pygmies, Negritos and other rainforest-dwelling hunter/gatherer peoples, for instance the climatic rules,. The low ultraviolet light levels under the rainforest canopy will have reduced the potential for vitamin D production in the skin of peoples living in this environment; consequently it is possible that calcium uptake from the diet will also have been affected and there would have been a selective pressure to reduce the bone mass in the body. Small stature, especially given the resulting higher ratio of skin surface area to bane volume and mass, may be an adaptive response, a point which has been not so much considered up to now.