Abstract

Humans are complex animals, and being humans ourselves, we are particular aware of these complexities. However, at the same time we have a level of insight into these complexities that is unattainable when looking at other species than ourselves. In this talk, Dr. Postma will investigate the proximate and ultimate causes and consequences of variation in human evolutionary and physical fitness, and how the two are entwined. He will first focus on evolutionary fitness, and how it is affected by inbreeding, reproductive timing and dispersal. He will then switch to physical fitness, and test for sex-differences, ageing and trade-offs. Finally, Dr. Postma will provide some evidence that suggest there is a relationship between evolutionary and physical fitness, and he will outline his plans for the future.