Article Nose shape gene inherited from Neanderthals

[C C]

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/988396
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2021/feb/gene...identified

INTRO: Humans inherited genetic material from Neanderthals that affects the shape of our noses, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. The new Communications Biology study finds that a particular gene, which leads to a taller nose (from top to bottom), may have been the product of natural selection as ancient humans adapted to colder climates after leaving Africa.... (MORE - details)

[Magical Realist]

First author Dr Qing Li (Fudan University) said: “It has long been speculated that the shape of our noses is determined by natural selection; as our noses can help us to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air we breathe in, different shaped noses may be better suited to different climates that our ancestors lived in. The gene we have identified here may have been inherited from Neanderthals to help humans adapt to colder climates as our ancestors moved out of Africa.”

Interesting how a seeming inconsequential trait like nose length could play a large enough role in survival such that it was naturally selected for. Just a little warmer and more humid air entering the lungs, made possible by the lengthened proboscis, made some of our ancestors survive over more flat nosed ancestors. Perhaps it was a trait more sexually selected for as well, the lengthened postpuberty nose signifying sexual maturity and adulthood.