Natural selection is not related to reduced body size in a rural subsistence agricultural community in southern Mexico. Academic Article

abstract

• Adult Zapotecs are among the shortest Indians in Mexico. This study investigated whether reduced body size was an effect of genetic selection or a developmental effect of very poor nutrition and health. Fertility, offspring survival, and offspring prereproductive mortality were regressed on stature and weight of 205 multiparous adults (ages 20 to 72). The statistical analyses suggest that the exceptionally short stature of Zapotec Indians in this community is due to poor environmental conditions and not to genetic selection or adaptation.

authors

• Buschang, Peter

published proceedings

• Hum Biol

author list (cited authors)

• Little, B. B., Malina, R. M., Buschang, P. H., & Little, L. R.

citation count

• 10

complete list of authors

• Little, BB||Malina, RM||Buschang, PH||Little, LR

publication date

• April 1989

published in

• Human Biology (Detroit): the international journal of population biology and genetics  Journal

keywords

• Adult
• Body Height
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mexico
• Middle Aged
• Nutrition Disorders
• Rural Population
• Selection, Genetic

PubMed Central ID

• 2767676

start page

• 287

end page

• 296

volume

• 61

issue

• 2