"Skin pigmentation" refers to the natural color or tone of a person's skin. It is determined by the amount and type of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Full definition
We observe extensive variation in skin pigmentation in Africa, with lowest melanin levels observed in southern African San hunter - gatherers and highest levels in East African Nilo - Saharan pastoralists. (science.sciencemag.org)
Despite the wide range of skin pigmentation in humans, little is known about its genetic basis in global populations. (science.sciencemag.org)
So concludes an analysis of the genetic variants associated with skin pigmentation in people from several regions of Africa. (newscientist.com)