title: Worldwide genetic and cultural change in human evolution.
abstract: Both genetic variation and certain culturally transmitted phenotypes show geographic signatures of human demographic history. As a result of the human cultural predisposition to migrate to new areas, humans have adapted to a large number of different environments. Migration to new environments alters genetic selection pressures, and comparative genetic studies have pinpointed numerous likely targets of this selection. However, humans also exhibit many cultural adaptations to new environments, such as practices related to clothing, shelter, and food. Human culture interacts with genes and the environment in complex ways, and studying genes and culture together can deepen our understanding of human evolution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology Stanford University, Gilbert Hall, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212, United States. Electronic address: nicole.creanza@vanderbilt.edu.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Creanza
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology Stanford University, Gilbert Hall, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, United States.
authors.forename: Marcus W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003468:Cultural Evolution / Q000266:history*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation; D049690:History, Ancient; D015186:Hominidae / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D012641:Selection, Genetic