Final answer:
Neandertals would have had a lower surface area to volume ratio than modern humans living at the equator, due to their adaptation to colder climates resulting in stockier bodies to conserve heat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Neandertal, or Neanderthal, would have had a lower surface area to volume ratio compared to a modern human living at the equator. Neandertals were adapted to cold climates, which means their bodies were stockier and shorter to conserve heat. This body shape reduces the surface area in relation to the volume. On the other hand, modern humans living near the equator generally exhibit longer limbs and taller statures, which increase the surface area for better heat dissipation in a warmer climate.