Which trait is listed as a neotenous feature in humans?

• A. Small jaw
• B. Large jaw
• C. Increased brow ridge
• D. Longer arms

Answer: (A)

Neoteny is about retaining juvenile traits into adulthood. In humans, one clear example is a smaller jaw. Juvenile primates have smaller jaws relative to the rest of the face, and humans keep that smaller jaw into adulthood, contributing to the flatter, less prognathic facial profile we see. The other traits point away from this pattern: a larger jaw reflects a more primitive, non-neotenous condition; an increased brow ridge is more pronounced in earlier human ancestors or other primates; longer arms are also associated with a more ape-like body plan rather than a retained juvenile feature. So a small jaw best represents a neotenous trait in humans.