Answer:
As a species, humans exhibit a wide range of skin colors that vary across different regions of the world. Skin color is primarily determined by the amount of melanin produced by melanocytes in the skin, which is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. There is no one-size-fits-all trend in humans as it relates to skin color, but generally speaking, skin color tends to be darker in populations that live closer to the equator, where there is more intense sunlight and a greater need for protection against UV radiation. In contrast, skin color tends to be lighter in populations that live further away from the equator, where there is less intense sunlight and a greater need for the skin to produce vitamin D. It is important to note, however, that skin color is a complex and multifactorial trait that is influenced by many factors, including evolutionary history, genetic variation, and cultural and social factors.