Sex differences in ocular morphology in Caucasian people: a dubious role of sexual selection in the evolution of sexual dimorphism of the human eye

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11310%2F20%3A10420476" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11310/20:10420476 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=85YF-b0TkS" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=85YF-b0TkS</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-020-02894-1" target="_blank" >10.1007/s00265-020-02894-1</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Sex differences in ocular morphology in Caucasian people: a dubious role of sexual selection in the evolution of sexual dimorphism of the human eye

Original language description

The horizontal size of the exposed depigmented sclera in Caucasians has been previously suggested to be sexually dimorphic, and the significance of this phenomenon remains unclear. Here we build on a previous study and extend it by (i) examining sex differences in other measures of ocular morphology and (ii) exploring the link between eye morphology and biometric markers of facial attractiveness. We used facial photographs of 100 Caucasians (50 men) from Eastern-Central Europe and digitally measured four ocular features. Eye measurements were tested for sex differences and associations with morphometric data on facial averageness and sexual shape dimorphism. We found that sclera surface is more horizontally exposed in men, even though the total surface area is similar in both sexes. We also found that eye fissures are rounder (less rectangular) in women than in men and that irises are brighter in women. We did not find any relationship between the examined eye features and two aspects of facial attractiveness: facial averageness and sexual dimorphism in facial shape. Despite being sexually dimorphic, eye features may be loosely linked with the development of facial sexual ornamentation. The role of sexual selection in the evolution of the observed phenomena is disputable. Significance statement It is often argued that because of their physical appearance, human eyes are crucial to interpersonal and social interactions. In many aspects, however, the significance of the human eye architecture is unclear. In this study, we examine sex differences in eye morphology and explore the link between ocular features and biometric measures of facial attractiveness in Caucasian men and women. We found that despite being sexually dimorphic, eye features may be loosely linked with biometric markers of facial attractiveness. We argue that the role of sexual selection in the evolution of the observed sex differences is disputable.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10602 - Biology (theoretical, mathematical, thermal, cryobiology, biological rhythm), Evolutionary biology

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA18-10298S" target="_blank" >GA18-10298S: The social perception of sexual dimorphism in human face: A cross-cultural comparison</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2020

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

ISSN

0340-5443

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

74

Issue of the periodical within the volume

10

Country of publishing house

DE - GERMANY

Number of pages

10

Pages from-to

115

UT code for WoS article

000565774800001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85090109617