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CONCEPTUAL ROOTS. “The multi-cellular eukaryote concepts of “species” and “individual” are deeply embedded in most efforts to characterize and measure biodiversity. Most multi-cellular eukaryote diversity metrics are defined in terms of “species diversity” over some spatio-temporal range, and much raw biodiversity-measurement data consists of observations of the occurrence of a single individual of a particular species at a specific point in space and time.” https://standardsingenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40793-016-0180-8 View in LinkedIn

SO ENDS this contemplation of the anatomical structures underlying the human face that are responsible for the nuanced human expressions, and the function of these expressions in humans and other primates for social cohesion. This is a prime example where “nothing makes sense except in the light of evolution.” Comparative phyolgenetic studies illuminate the reasons behind things and how muscles that started life for orifice control, end up with a social role later in evolution. View in LinkedIn

VISUAL CUES. “The softer contours of the fibro-fatty human face (SMAS is necessary for providing structure to facial fat) are involved in “beauty” and “attractiveness,” which are of particular importance in a species that is attracted to a mate more by appearance and less by scent than other species.” (SMAS = the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system). https://lnkd.in/di-WAXE View in LinkedIn

MORE THAN MUSCLE. “In humans, the presence of a more defined SMAS layer and the thicker layer of subcutaneous adipose tissue allow for a distributed soft, gentle, and more expressive facial movement such that even small, subtle facial movement functions as cues for expression, mood, communication, etc.” (SMAS = the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system). https://lnkd.in/di-WAXE View in LinkedIn

DAY HABITS. “The increased facial mobility, facial display repertoire size, and increased frequency of facial displays in anthropoids may be partially linked to the move away from nocturnal sensory systems, specifically face touch via vibrissae.” https://lnkd.in/di-WAXE View in LinkedIn

CONSERVED. “Mimetic musculature is phylogenetically conserved among Primates.” https://lnkd.in/di-WAXE View in LinkedIn

TENDON SURROGATE. “The SMAS functions like a tendon system for the mimetic muscles. Most skeletal muscles have connective tissue tendons that attach to bony landmarks and these tendons transmit muscle contractile force to the bone to produce movement. The SMAS acts as “tendons” for the mimetic muscles which function to produce movement of the soft-tissue face, notably during facial displays or facial expressions.” (SMAS = the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system). https://lnkd.in/di-WAXE View in LinkedIn

TISSUE CONNECTIONS. “SMAS (the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system), a connective tissue layer enclosing the mimetic musculature located between the skin and deep fascia/periosteum.” https://lnkd.in/di-WAXE View in LinkedIn

NO NAMES. Viruses are not given Latin names like other living organisms (polio virus, rabies virus), except that Virus is Latin for poison. https://lnkd.in/eqw9nkU View in LinkedIn

NEW WORLD VIEW. “New insights from molecular analysis are forcing a recognition that there are, in fact, no completely objective individuals, no unique lineages, and no one true tree, at least in the quantum realm of prokaryotic dark matter,” and no fundamental gene units, no gene beads, and no gene strings. https://standardsingenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40793-016-0180-8 View in LinkedIn