Why Mammal Body Hair Is an Evolutionary Enigma
January 2003
Studysummary This article explores the structure of mammal body hair and the challenges in explaining its evolutionary origins, reporting no new empirical findings.
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The document discussed the complexity of mammal body hair, highlighting its structure, including the shaft, root, and follicle. It noted that the prevailing theory suggested hair evolved from reptile scales, but no fossil evidence supported this after extensive searching. The document also addressed the issue of primates having thick fur and the lack of clear explanations for its loss in human evolution. Additionally, it described the hair's role in heat production and communication, as well as its structural components like the medulla, cortex, and cuticle, which contribute to hair's color and texture.