Why do Europeans and Russians have lighter skin? And also is there any evolutionary advantage with having pale skin or low levels of melanin?
Why do Europeans and Russians have lighter skin? And also is there any evolutionary advantage with having pale skin or low levels of melanin?
Europeans lost their pigment as an adaptation to high latitude, which means they don’t have sufficient exposer to sunlight which is neccesary for the production of vitamin D. Thus, lower melanin levels, meant lower sun protection which let the UV rays reach the skin and start producing vitamin D in the body.