An ecological-evolutionary perspective of the physiological adaptation of inland Patagonian human populations: body size and energy requirements

The processes of energy capture and expenditure have implications for individuals' life histories, demographic patterns, and settlement systems. Body size is impacted by energetic factors that influence everything, from physiological processes to ecological relationships, and is related to trophic strategies, ranges of action, and types of resources consumed. The objectives of this paper are to explore Patagonian human populations from a physiological and ecological perspective, linking the demands and limits imposed by metabolism to the available resources. Based on published data on height and body mass of Patagonian populations, maintenance costs were estimated from the calculation of basal metabolic rate, levels of physical activity, and environmental variables (i.e., latitude, altitude, rainfall, and temperature). Subsequently, these estimates were compared with the nutritional yield of various prey. The results indicate that Patagonian hunter-gatherers had a larger body size compared to other human groups. Likewise, people from southern Patagonia were heavier and taller than those from the north of the region. In southern Patagonia caloric requirements were higher but the availability of resources was lower, resulting in smaller populations.