Scientist at the Max Planck Institute identified a Neanderthal haplotype in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) that’s lurking in modern human genome. The GHR haplotype is comprised of two variants: rs6182 (C422F) and rs6184 (P561T). The effect of this haplotype appears to increase the GHR responsiveness to growth hormone, contributing to greater muscle mass and some Neanderthal-like craniofacial traits.

The haplotype is present at allele frequencies of 0.5% in Europe, 2% in the Americas, 15% in East Asia, and 20% in South Asia, while being absent in Africa. Adults carriers are taller (+0.30 cm, p = 1.4e−49) and weigh more (+285 g, p = 2.6e−11) than non-carriers.

For the looksmaxxers, carriers have a shorter mandibular ramus height, an increased risk of overbite, and a tendency for shorter tooth roots.