Abstract
Humans lack an outer layer of protective fur or hair, a condition that is unusual among the mammals. We propose that human hairlessness evolved to reduce parasite infection, especially ectoparasites that may carry disease. Unique human cultural adaptations such as the abilities to regulate their environment via fire, shelter, and clothing made hairlessness possible. Clothes and shelters are more flexible than a permanent layer of fur and can be changed or cleaned if infected by parasites. Our hypothesis explains the marked sex differences in body hair and its retention in the pubic regions.
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Pagel, M., Bodmer, W. (2004). The Evolution of Human Hairlessness: Cultural Adaptations and the Ectoparasite Hypothesis. In: Wasser, S.P. (eds) Evolutionary Theory and Processes: Modern Horizons. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0443-4_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0443-4_17
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