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Anthropology/regarding moustache in chimps

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Expert: - 11/10/2008


Question
Hi,

We note that chimpanzee have hair all over the body and there is very little or no moustache. Humans who are less hairy than them have moustache. What do you think caused these differences according to evolutionary theories?

Regards

Answer
Dear Nain
It (human male mustache) probably had something to do with sexual selection -advertising male health/fitness to potential mates at an early phase in our evolution.  Some monkeys have analogous facial hair patterns (usually long whiskers colored differently than the rest of their face).  Given the wide variation in male facial hair growth, however, it has probably not been under strong stabilizing selective pressure for a long time.
Cheers
John Shea

Anthropology

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John Shea

Expertise

Questions about Old World prehistoric archaeology (especially Stone Age) of Europe, Africa, and Western Asia, prehistoric human and hominid behavior, primitive technology, origin of modern humans, extinction of the Neandertals.

Experience

>20 years as a professional anthropologist based at a research university.

Publications
Journal of Field Archaeology, Journal of Archaeological Science, Lithic Technology, Evolutionary Anthropology, Current Anthropology, Mitekufat HaEven (Journal of the Israel Prehistoric Society), Paléorient, Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, American Anthropologist, Geoarchaeology.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D (Anthropology) Harvard University, 1991.
BA (Archaeology) Boston University, 1982.

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