The populations encountered vastly differing environments that selected for many characteristics, the most readily recognizable being the physical traits of skin color, hair texture and color, and eye color.
(environments; selected; for many characteristics) (the most readily recognizable; being; the physical traits of skin color, hair texture and color, and eye color)
environments the most readily recognizable
selected being
for many characteristics
the physical traits of skin color, hair texture and color, and eye color