(Interpretation: Hairless and dark pigmented body (based on environment, limb proportions)
How do limb proportions provide clues to pigmentation and hairiness? I understand the environment part, but the inclusion of limb proportions I don't.
Thank ya again!
How do limb proportions provide clues to pigmentation and hairiness? I understand the environment part, but the inclusion of limb proportions I don't.
I am not positive on this one.
Limb proportions can determine whether the individual was arboreal or terrestrial, and this leads to an estimate of whether, and how much, the individual lived within a relatively dense tree canopy vs. the more open grasslands. If the latter, the individual would likely be more exposed to sunlight, requiring a better cooling system (i.e., less hair), but at the same time there would be more exposure to ultraviolet light, requiring darker pigmentation.