COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

THEORITICAL PAPER

EVOLUTION OF SKIN

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED TO
KIANA SHANE M. DE LEON EDMUND CAPUZ
SECTION: 1 - MB PROFESSOR

I. Proposed Title
Evolution of Skin.
II. Rationale
This paper aims to explain the Evolution of Skin.
III. Objectives
The paper examines the evolutionary development of human skin, focusing on pigmentation, thermoregulation, sensory
perception, and other functions, and how they adapted to various environmental and genetic factors.
IV. Pros Literature (Appendix A)
1. Jablonski, N. G. (2021). The evolution of human skin pigmentation involved the interactions of genetic, environmental,
and cultural variables. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 34(4), 707–729. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcmr.12976
2. Baeckens, S., Temmerman, M., Gorb, S. N., Neto, C., Whiting, M. J., & Van Damme, R. (2021). Convergent evolution
of skin surface microarchitecture and increased skin hydrophobicity in semi-aquatic anole lizards. Journal of
Experimental Biology, 224(19). https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.242939
3. Ju, D., & Mathieson, I. (2020). The evolution of skin pigmentation-associated variation in West Eurasia. Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences, 118(1), e2009227118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2009227118
4. Council, S. E., Savage, A. M., Urban, J. M., Ehlers, M. E., Skene, J. H. P., Platt, M. L., … Horvath, J. E. (2016).
Diversity and evolution of the primate skin microbiome. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences,
283(1822), 20152586. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2015.2586
5. Dighe, A., Maziarz, J., Ibrahim-Hashim, A., Gatenby, R. A., Kshitiz, Levchenko, A., & Wagner, G. P. (2024).
Experimental and phylogenetic evidence for correlated gene expression evolution in endometrial and skin fibroblasts.
IScience, 27(1), 108593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.108593
V. Cons Literature (Appendix B)
1. Bergman, J. (2021). Evolution of the human skin. Retrieved from Creation.com website:
https://dl0.creation.com/articles/p149/c14993/j35_3_85-90.pdf
2. THOMAS, B. (2014, February 5). Fossil Skin Pigment Evolved Three Times? Retrieved from www.icr.org website:
https://www.icr.org/article/7895
3. SHERWIN, F. (2024, February 1). Fossilized Reptile Skin Is Still Reptile Skin. Retrieved from www.icr.org website:
https://www.icr.org/article/fossilized-reptile-skin-still-reptile-skin
4. TOMKINS, J. P. (2017, November 2). Skin Color Research Confirms Biblical Narrative. Retrieved from www.icr.org
website: https://www.icr.org/article/skin-color-research-confirms-biblical
5. Skin Color and Natural Selection. (n.d.). Retrieved from Answers in Genesis website:
https://answersingenesis.org/natural-selection/skin-color-natural-selection/
6.
VI. Context of the Paper:
The context of this paper is set within the broader scope of evolutionary biology and anthropology, with a focus on
the evolution of human skin and its adaptation to different environments. The evolution of the skin has been going on for
more than hundreds of millions of years with changes implemented due to natural selection, environmental pressures, and
genetic adaptations. From its very primitive stage within our distant ancestors, the skin went through a series of
transformative changes that were apparently exquisitely tailored to diversified ecological niches.
The skin of the bodies got a critical milestone on the history of evolution: both with the protective barrier from the
outside environment and, at the same time, with the fulfillment of the functions very important for the body—
thermoregulation, sensation, and immunity. All using the most complicated mechanism of genetic mutations and selective
pressure, ancestral hominins navigated through this space over different landscapes of Africa, Europe, and Asia, with each
locality presenting unique challenges and opportunities for adaptation. This means that skin pigmentation is one of the most
obvious characteristics that have evolved over the course of time, intricately tied up with the intensity of UV radiation in
different geographical regions. In regions close to the equator, there was plenty of sun, and natural selection was favorable to
dark skin pigmentation in order to give protection against the deleterious effects of UV radiation on DNA damage and folate
depletion. Conversely, the low levels of UVB light at high latitudes led to the evolution of light skin, which helped to
facilitate the synthesis of vitamin D, essential for bone health and immune function.
The molecular basis of human pigmentation is complex and involves gene-environment interactions related to the
genes that control the regulation of the enzymes required for melanin biosynthesis, in particular tyrosinase, and the
melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Variation within these genes can result in allelic variation that can ultimately change the
shade of pigmentation, reflecting the intricate dance of genetic diversity and environmental selection. A host of other factors,
in addition to pigmentation, have been the driving force behind these adaptations, shaping the morphology and physiology of
human skin. The multilayered structure of the epidermis predominantly comprising keratinocytes with melanocytes
interspersed throughout has endowed it with a robust barrier to microbial attack and water loss. This was soon followed by
the evolution of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands that permitted hominins to thermoregulate and consequently allowed
them to colonize and inhabit environments that ranged from the sweltering savannas of Africa to the freezing tundra of
Siberia.
Yet the human evolutionary story of skin surpasses matters of pure biology and is intertwined with the complex
tapestry of culture, society, and identity. Within the historical record, skin color has been endowed with powerful social and
political meaning; it formed the basis for the classification of races and the establishment of discriminatory and preferential
policies. As a matter of fact, the present-day distribution of skin pigmentation has left its legacy on colonialism and slavery.
With this, the evolution of human skin is witness to the remarkable adaptability of our species, represented within the
dynamic interplay of genetic, environmental, and cultural factors. From its humble origin in the primordial seas to its many
manifestations in modern humans, the skin remains a testament to the dance of evolution, crafting both our biology and
society.
VII. Weighing the Evidence:
The evidence supporting the evolutionary development of skin is robust, encompassing a range of studies and data
sources. Skin is dynamic and multifunctional as an organ, providing a barrier between organisms and the environment, and
being deeply involved in temperature homeostasis, sensation, and immunity. Its evolutionary journey can best be understood
by the inspection of the plethora of evidence from the various scientific disciplines. Human skin pigmentation is a case in
point of the elucidation of evolutionary mechanisms: genetic research has discovered many alleles for pigmentation traits,
indicative of the complexity of the linkage between genetic makeup and environmental pressures. For instance, dark
pigmented skins are considered to be a protection against UV-induced DNA damage in populations living in regions with
high ultraviolet radiation. In contrast, low UV environments have people with light skin that allows for vitamin D synthesis.
All these observations underline the adaptive nature of pigmentation that was carved over millennia by selective pressure.
The fossil record, therefore, gives an extremely concrete look at the direction that evolution has taken with skin.
Anatomical comparisons of fossil specimens throughout disparate taxa and through geological time show progressive
changes in skin complexity. Fossil evidence indicates an amazingly true course of adaptation and innovation that led from
the primitive integument of early chordates to the most advanced dermal structures of modern mammals. Major examples
include the development of hair in synapsids as a major adaptation for insulation and the advent of feathers in theropod
dinosaurs that led to flight in birds. Such morphological changes underline the truly iterative process of evolution, driven by
selective pressures and genetic variation. The evolutionary story is, however, countered by a few others that stem from a
creationist view and, to a lesser extent, a religious or cultural paradigm. It is for this reason that much literature on
creationism counters the orthodox evolutionary hypotheses, with most creationists attributing the explanation of biological
diversity to a godly deity. At other times, it has been suggested that these arguments are not borne by empirical evidence and
very influential in some societies, while at other times they just do not stand the test of science. Critics argue that the use of
supernatural explanations darkens the knowledge of natural phenomena and is a hindrance to scientific progress.
The evolutionary paradigm is preferred, in evaluating evidence, to the point of overwhelming majority over
alternative paradigms, since firmly based on empirical investigation and testable hypotheses. Grounded on the twin concepts
of descent with modification and natural selection, evolutionary biology has generated many of the most profound insights
about the origins and diversification of life on earth. The predictive power of the theory of evolution has fostered
improvements in fields ranging from medicine and agriculture to conservation biology. In contrast, creationist views are
constrained to dogma, with untestable assertions relegated to the realm of belief in faith-based world views rather than
scientific inquiry.
In conclusion, skin evolution gives testimony to the powers of natural selection and genetic drift in sculpting
biological diversity: from humble origins in early vertebrates through to the diverse manifestations in modern organisms, this
evolution reflects a tapestry of adaptation and innovation. Although dissenting voices may push back on this evolutionary
narrative, the preponderance of evidence from genetics, paleontology, and comparative anatomy reaffirms the scientific
consensus. Indeed, the revelation of the intricate nature of skin evolution gets us closer to understanding the processes that
drive the diverse phenomena and resilience of life.
VIII. Personal Theory Conclusion:
In my research on skin evolution, I explored two opposing viewpoints: evolutionary theory and creationism. My
research clearly supports evolution of skin. Skin is evolved with time; it is a dynamical process that is molded by natural
selection acting on heritable variation. Changes in skin have been disparate over millions of years and are motivated by
environmental pressures and genetic mutations. Making sense of the evolutionary trajectory of skin demands delving into its
origins, development, and adaptive significance across taxa. Skin can be said to be the largest organ of an organism's body
and plays several critical functions, among which are defense against mechanical, chemical, and microbial damage, thermal
and water balance, and localization of sensations. Skin is an organ that dates back to the earliest vertebrates, whose
integumentary structures were primitive and gave them primitive defense and sensory capabilities. Their skin, over the
generations, increasingly became complex by evolving under selective pressures in varied environments. Pigmentation is a
central feature in skin evolution that has inclined significantly toward the role of protection from harmful ultraviolet
radiation. This has greatly been manifested in terms of distribution and intensity, changing greatly even within history
evolution, under the influence of such factors as latitude, altitude, and habitat type. Investigations from Jablonski (2021) and
Ju and Mathieson (2020) have shed light on the genetic basis of human skin pigmentation, revealing that the genetic,
environmental, and cultural factors are acting together and driving the color diversity of the skin.
As an example, one can consider the skin microarchitecture of semi-aquatic Anolis lizards, described in detail by
Baeckens et al. (2021), in their independent evolution—independent acquisition of similar characteristics in nonrelated
lineages. That is, the skin of these lizards has evolved specialized skin structures to further increase their hydrophobicity, thus
allowing the reptiles to run on water surfaces, a feature without which semi-aquatic life would not be possible. In addition,
the skin microbiome is also the place of residence for very diverse microbiota, which is thus thought to have also co-evolved
with the host organism. For example, Council et al. (2016) showed the co-evolutionary dynamics between primates and their
skin microbiota, giving signals about the mutualistic relationships established in the last million years. The microbial
composition of the human skin microbiome is typical of both host phylogeny and environmental factors and has been
suggested to be a result of the intricate interplay of the genetics, ecology, and microbiology of skin evolution. Suggestive
evidence from experiment and phylogenetics of correlated gene expression evolution at the cellular level in endometrial and
skin fibroblasts has been described by Dighe et al. 2024. This finding also suggests that there are conserved molecular
pathways regulating tissue development and homeostasis in diverse evolutionary lineages, emphasizing the evolutionary
unity of skin across taxa.
While the scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports evolution as the source of skin origination, the creationist
perspective offers alternative explanations based on religious ideology rather than empirical observation. The arguments
against evolutionary theories about the origin and diversification of skin have been presented by Bergman, 2021; THOMAS,
2014; SHERWIN, 2024; TOMKINS, 2017; and some works of Answers in Genesis. All these arguments are devoid of
empirical evidence and scientific rigor, based on the interpretation of religious texts. Ultimately, this will be a composite
process consisting of genetic, environmental, and ecological factors over geological times. Therefore, it is only in the
synthesis of modern scientific approaches in genetics, paleontology, microbiology, and developmental biology that a
complete understanding of skin evolution can be reached. Creationist views, of course, provide other stories, but the existing
body of scientific evidence is decidedly all in support of the natural-selection-driven evolution as the most robust explanation
for the diversity and complexity of skin within the tree of life.
IX. Recommendation:
1. Highlight clear evidence for skin evolution from genetics and fossils.
2. Encourage respectful dialogue between scientific and religious viewpoints.
3. Support ongoing research to further understand skin evolution.
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B