Rapid Evolution: Blondness
A scientific analysis of north European genes carried out at three Japanese universities has isolated the date of the genetic mutation that resulted in blond hair to about 11,000 years ago. The hair colour gene MC1R has at least seven variants in Europe and the continent has an unusually wide range of hair and eye shades. Just how such variety emerged over such a short period of time in one part of the world has long been a mystery. If the changes had occurred by the usual processes of evolution, they would have taken about 850,000 years. According to a new study, published under the aegis of the University of St Andrews, north European women evolved blonde hair and blue eyes at the end of the Ice Age to make them stand out from their rivals at a time of fierce competition for scarce males.
“Cavegirls were first blondes to have fun,” by Roger Dobson and Abul Taher.
“European hair and eye color: A case of frequency-dependent sexual selection?” by Peter Frost.