Genomic perspectives on the history and evolutionary ecology of tropical rainforest occupation by humans. (20th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perry, George H.; Verdu, Paul
• Is Part Of: Quaternary international. Volume 448(2017)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2017-08-20
• Subjects: Human population history -- Human evolutionary ecology -- Hunter-gatherers -- Population genomics -- Polygenic adaptation -- Population admixture; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2016.04.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-6182

Abstract

Abstract: We review contributions from the field of genomics that have helped to inform our understanding of the history and evolutionary ecology of tropical rainforest hunting and gathering behavior by humans, and discuss potential opportunities for future studies. This perspective encompasses i) the question of the antiquity of full-time tropical rainforest occupation, ii) the characterization of biological adaptations to the particular ecological challenges of this habitat, including small adult body size or the "pygmy" phenotype, and iii) the timing and nature of interactions between hunter-gatherer groups and the farming populations that migrated into interior tropical rainforest habitats following the origins of agriculture.