This study investigates the relationship between physical appearance and genomic African ancestry in Brazilians. Using a panel of 10 population-specific alleles, the researchers calculated an African Ancestry Index (AAI) for each individual. The AAI values were used to compare the genomic African ancestry of different Brazilian populations, including a rural community in Minas Gerais, and cosmopolitan samples from various regions of Brazil. The results showed that physical appearance, as determined by skin pigmentation, hair color, texture, and facial features, did not accurately predict genomic African ancestry. For example, some black individuals had lower AAI values than some white individuals, and intermediate categories had AAI values that overlapped with both white and black categories. The study concluded that color, as determined by physical evaluation, is a poor predictor of genomic African ancestry in Brazil, even in regions with predominantly European immigration. This finding highlights the social construct nature of race and the limitations of using physical traits to categorize individuals genetically.This study investigates the relationship between physical appearance and genomic African ancestry in Brazilians. Using a panel of 10 population-specific alleles, the researchers calculated an African Ancestry Index (AAI) for each individual. The AAI values were used to compare the genomic African ancestry of different Brazilian populations, including a rural community in Minas Gerais, and cosmopolitan samples from various regions of Brazil. The results showed that physical appearance, as determined by skin pigmentation, hair color, texture, and facial features, did not accurately predict genomic African ancestry. For example, some black individuals had lower AAI values than some white individuals, and intermediate categories had AAI values that overlapped with both white and black categories. The study concluded that color, as determined by physical evaluation, is a poor predictor of genomic African ancestry in Brazil, even in regions with predominantly European immigration. This finding highlights the social construct nature of race and the limitations of using physical traits to categorize individuals genetically.