Why do these islanders have blonde hair despite having no european introgression and living near the equator?

Question

How the freaking heck did they evolve blond hair?

They are living in isolated islands cut off from the rest of humanity (which rules out european introgression) and also live under really hot tropical weather.

Can anyone kindly explain this to me please.

Thank you.

http://www.gnxp.com/blog/2007/10/blondism-in-melanesia.php

Answer 1

I think its about nutrition or hygiene not in the genes. Here in the Philippines, I heard that people with blonde hair are usually those who but some dye, its not a natural occurence among the islanders. Because there isn't any recessive gene for blondness among Asians

Answer 2

A recessive gene. Since it is an island, they inter marry and the gene becomes dominant.

Answer 3

well you cannot rule out some pirates crashing on their island :)

Answer 4

The Ainu of Japan have also a blond gene.

It would seem that the mutation which permits blond hair has occurred independently more than once.  It is interesting to note in the Melanesian case that it is not connected to other genes seen in the blond appearance in Europeans in terms of straightness of hair, thickness, skin color, eye color, and the like.  This in fact provides strong evidence that it is in fact a separate mutation.  It is possible that it is not even on the same gene as the one expressed by blond Europeans, as very likely the hair color can be expressed by any of several different genes.

Answer 5

You find this in australian aboriginal communities alot of the kids have light blonde straight hair but are entirely aboriginal looking.

Mongol kids also have blonde hair.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 6

The obvious answer is that at some point they came into contact with ancient european explorers, whites have a long history of exploring and discovery, it was them who mapped the world, the solar system, and the known universe.