Facial width predicts male fitness and rank but not survival in Second World War Finnish soldiers

We investigated fitness, military rank and survival of facial phenotypes in large scale warfare using 795 Finnish soldiers who fought in the Winter War (1939-40). We measured bizygomatic facial width vs. height - a trait known to predict aggressive behaviour in males - and assessed whether facial morphology could predict survival, lifetime reproductive success (LRS) and social status. We found no difference in survival along the phenotypic gradient, however, wider-faced individuals had greater LRS, but achieved a lower military rank.

本研究以参与1939-1940年冬季战争的795名芬兰士兵为研究对象，探究了大规模战争中面部表型（facial phenotypes）的适应性、军衔与生存情况。我们测量了颧骨间面部宽高比——这一特征已被证实可预测男性的攻击行为——并评估了面部形态是否能够预测生存情况、终身繁殖成功率（lifetime reproductive success, LRS）以及社会地位。研究结果显示，在表型梯度上未发现生存情况存在显著差异；然而，面部更宽的个体终身繁殖成功率更高，却获得了更低的军衔。