Tim Tyler  wrote in
news:bmsn70$29ko$1{at}darwin.ediacara.org: 

> Don Wiss  wrote or quoted:
> 
>> It was pointed out on the PaleoFood mailing list that the reason
>> human females have breasts is because we have flat faces. And because
>> we are the only mammals with flat faces, we are the only mammals with
>> protruding breasts. So the question becomes why do we have flat
>> faces? 
> 
> Humans have protruding breasts due to sexual selection favouring it -
> probably somewhat along the lines envisaged by Desmond Morris.
> 
> Face shape has practically nothing to do with it.

I think you are right, but to give the question its due:

The possibilities are (1) that flat faces and protruding breasts are 
unrelated - an example of a mammal with a flat face and non-protruding 
breasts would be good evidence. Any takers? (Elephants don't have flat 
faces, but might still count as a counter-example)(And how flat is flat - 
walruses and capybara are still pretty flat-faced from the standpoint of 
breastfeeding)

(2) that we developed protruding breasts for the reason suggested by Tim, 
and that flat faces then could develop, and did so for other reasons.

(3) that the sequence was as posited by the question - we developed flat 
faces, and the protruding breasts are a response.


I think we know when flat faces developed - what I don't know is if the 
paleontological record is sufficient to define when protruding breasts 
developed. 

Yours,

Bill Morse
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