Question

How have infectious diseases such as malaria impacted human evolution?

Answer 1

While the time of evolution of the genus Homo, with regard to the species habilis, erectus and sapiens, malaria has an important role in influencing the development of human. The plasmodia which causes malaria has been evolved in two methods, in biological terms and phylogenetic terms: Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale seems to have either co-evolved along with humans, or encountered the human species on the ancient stages of evolution of Humans. Also,  it is founf that Plasmodium falciparum is transmitted from mokeys to humans in recent periods which can be assumed as between the end of the Mesolithic age and the beginning of the Neolithic age.

Scientists have found direct and indirect bio-molecular evidence of malarial infection, identified in buried human fossils, dating to ancient period and enlightened in the course of archaeological excavations in major Mediterranean sites. In their studies, scientists submits scientific evidence which confirms the effect of malaria in affecting the evolution amongst the populations in Mediterranean countries.

The people living in various Mediterranean zones, which is identified and considered as the origin of western civilization, had been influenced by malaria in course of the spread of this endemic disease in recent centuries. Also, communities affected by endemic malaria slowly and gradually developed cultural, dietary and behavioural adaptation mechanisms have reduced the risk of infection. And it may be assumed that both customs and biological upgradations, caused by malarial plasmodia, enabled the emergence of groups of people with greater resistance to malaria. All these factors have diminished the unfavourable demographic impact of the disease, also positively influencing the general development and growth of civilization.