Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
What Does this Mean for Skeletal Biology?
Over the decades, biological anthropologists have used the skeleton for various purposes:
assigning racial categories, individual identification, tracking prehistoric population migra-
tions, differentiating different species in the fossil record, and understanding function and
adaptation among individuals and populations. Underlying each of these purposes is one
or more fundamental assumptions about the relationship between genotype and phenotype
in a population, such as the degree of heritability (i.e., susceptibility to natural selection),
phenotypic plasticity (i.e., susceptibility to environmental forces), or selective neutrality, to
name a few examples.
Importantly for skeletal biology, molecular-based analyses have opened newwindows
d
if
not widened existing windows
d
into biological processes related to morphology and their
relationship with environmental factors throughout the course of life. Recent studies have
either generated or exploited publicly available genomic-level data on worldwide popula-
tions to ask what aspects of the skeleton have evolved neutrally, and which seem to have
been under selection. For example, a recent spate of studies are asking whether or not,
and what regions, if any, of the human cranium have been evolving neutrally (in which
case we can use the cranium, or maybe certain cranial regions, to access population history)
or have been under selection (in which case we can look at the history of selection on the
cranium or cranial regions) (
Roseman, 2004; Sherwood et al., 2008; Smith, 2009
). For the
future, can we find genes controlling for particular phenotypes? What can we say about
the developmental regulation of genes? Thus, some of the more promising future research
studies lie in dissecting genotype
e
phenotype relationships, including accompanying math-
ematical and computational methods. As we develop a more thorough understanding of the
functional interactions among different genomic regions, we stand to gain a more sophisti-
cated and nuanced view of what it means to be human.
CONCLUSION
I Am a Student of Skeletal Biology. If I am Interested in the Possibility of
Incorporating Molecular Methods into My Work, What Should I Make Sure to
Do and to Learn?
Because of the potential for such exciting developments, students of skeletal biology
should strongly consider taking courses in evolutionary biology, genetics, and particularly
classes that teach about the relationship between genetics and environment. Because culture
is part of our environment, maintaining a strong foundation in the principles of cultural
anthropology, as well as an understanding of variation in cultural norms, is also important.
Finally, advanced statistics and quantitative and computational methods are a must. If
pursuing genetics in anthropology is your calling, volunteer to work in a molecular lab to
familiarize yourself with laboratory techniques.
Anthropological genetics is a fascinating as well as fast moving field. The fact that it
is
quick paced should not deter you from becoming involved in the field as a researcher as
a solid foundation in general anthropology, biology, genetics, and statistics will allow you
