title: Naevocytic naevi as an atavism; their relationship to melanoma risk.
abstract: Common "acquired" naevocytic naevi (moles) are often regarded as caused by ultraviolet radiation although no proof of this assumption exists. An alternative view is presented herein, describing moles as atavistic relics. When the remote ancestors of Homo sapiens lost their fur, coat colour patterns also disappeared, leaving behind small rudimentary defects of the pigmentary system. These remnants are known to us as naevocytic naevi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Rampen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000235:genetics; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006200:Hair Color / Q000235:genetics; D015186:Hominidae / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000235:genetics*