What is the evolutionary purpose for humans to still having a relatively significant amount of underarm hair?
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ANSWERS: 1
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Firstly, it is not necessary for a survival from a previous era, such as underarm hair, to have an evolutionary purpose. It is necessary only that it not have a very high evolutionary cost. Vestigial features from previous lifestyles will remain until their cost is excessive. It is theorized that underarm hair, like pubic hair, serves to concentrate and hold pheromones, sexually attractive hormones. This is certainly plausible, and many researchers take that for granted by using armpits as a source of odours for pheromone research. However, as far as I know, this has been proved and, as I say, there does not *have* to be a function. As someone who intermittently shaves their armpits, I find that there can be slightly unpleasant friction between arm and body in that area which is reduced by long, soft armpit hair - though greatly increased by short armpit hair growing out. This may be another, or an additional, function. Or not.
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