Payne, S, Kumar BC, R, Pomeroy, E, Macintosh, A and Stock, J (2018) Thrifty Phenotype vs Cold Adaptation: Trade-offs in Upper Limb Proportions of Himalayan Populations of Nepal. Royal Society Open Science, 5 (6). ISSN 2054-5703

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Abstract

The multi-stress environment of high altitude has been associated with growth deficits in humans, particularly in zeugopod elements (forearm, lower leg). This is consistent with the thrifty phenotype hypothesis, which has been observed in Andeans, but has yet to be tested in other high altitude populations. In Himalayan populations, other factors, such as cold stress, may shape limb proportions. The current study investigated whether relative upper limb proportions of Himalayan adults (n=254) differ between highland and lowland populations, and whether cold adaptation or a thrifty phenotype mechanism may be acting here. Height, weight, humerus length, ulna length, hand length, and hand width were measured using standard methods. Relative to height, total upper limb and ulna lengths were significantly shorter in highlanders compared to lowlanders in both sexes, whilst hand and humerus length were not. Hand width did not significantly differ between populations. These results support the thrifty phenotype hypothesis, as hand and humerus proportions are conserved at the expense of the ulna. The reduction in relative ulna length could be attributed to cold adaptation, but the lack of difference between populations in both hand length and width indicate that cold adaptation is not shaping hands proportions in this case.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QM Human anatomy
Divisions:	Natural Sciences & Psychology (closed 31 Aug 19)
Publisher:	The Royal Society
Date Deposited:	04 Jun 2018 09:01
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2021 10:26
DOI or ID number:	10.1098/rsos.172174
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/8762

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