u/Defiant_Bug_9486

Hello!

My question is, if a hobbit were real, and gentically evolved from humans, how would they differ from us, and our genetic processes under typical conditions, at a physiological and molecular level.

What could cause their diminshed height, large, hairy and leathery feet, and extended life span? As in the gain or loss of a gene or enhancer of a gene, encoded protein function, altered hormones etc.

I'm also curious about elves or dwarves, though I think they might be easier to figure out than hobbits. I wouldn't know where to start with Gollum or an ent.

Thank you