Final answer:
The FOXP2 gene is known as the 'language gene' and its unique human variant suggests recent natural selection, being associated with the development of speech and language capabilities unique to humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human gene that shows signs of recent selection and suggests that it provides some unique human characteristics is FOXP2. FOXP2, sometimes referred to as the "language gene", has been associated with the development of speech and language capabilities in humans. While the gene itself is not exclusive to humans and is found in various vertebrates, the human variant of FOXP2 has specific mutations that distinguish it from that of other species.
Researchers discovered that a particular mutation in the FOXP2 gene was related to a speech disorder in a family, thus positing its role in human language development. This mutation in the gene likely occurred around 260,000 years ago and could have been crucial to enable the development of spoken language in both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, setting it apart as a candidate for recent natural selection and providing a uniquely human trait.