Aping our ancestors: Comparative aspects of reproductive ecology

Bentley, Gillian R.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1520-6505(1999)7:5<175::aid-evan3>3.0.co;2-4

Cited by 48 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…For example, levels of physical stress, nutrition and energy availability are important determinants of age at menarche and the probability of conception [62,63]. Ovulation is also hormonally suppressed when nursing a young infant, preventing subsequent dilution of parental investment at a time when current offspring are highly vulnerable.…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Fertility Regulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental investment and the optimization of human family size

Lawson

Mace

2011

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

149

126

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Human reproductive behaviour is marked by exceptional variation at the population and individual level. Human behavioural ecologists propose adaptive hypotheses to explain this variation as shifting phenotypic optima in relation to local socioecological niches. Here we review evidence that variation in fertility (offspring number), in both traditional and modern industrialized populations, represents optimization of the life-history trade-off between reproductive rate and parental investment. While a reliance on correlational methods suggests the true costs of sibling resource competition are often poorly estimated, a range of anthropological and demographic studies confirm that parents balance family size against offspring success. Evidence of optimization is less forthcoming. Declines in fertility associated with modernization are particularly difficult to reconcile with adaptive models, because fertility limitation fails to enhance offspring reproductive success. Yet, considering alternative measures, we show that modern low fertility confers many advantages on offspring, which are probably transmitted to future generations. Evidence from populations that have undergone or initiated demographic transition indicate that these rewards to fertility limitation fall selectively on relatively wealthy individuals. The adaptive significance of modern reproductive behaviour remains difficult to evaluate, but may be best understood in response to rising investment costs of rearing socially and economically competitive offspring.

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Section: Mechanisms Of Fertility Regulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental investment and the optimization of human family size

Lawson

Mace

2011

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

149

126

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“…One can also derive ovulation time from hormonal profiles through measuring ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone) or their metabolites noninvasively via urine or feces (Emery Thompson 2005;Fox 1998;Knott 1998Knott , 2005. Great ape hormonal profiles are characterized by a preovulatory peak in estrogen levels and a postovulatory sustained increase in both estrogen and progesterone levels (Bentley 1999;Czekala et al 1988). Thus, ovulation should occur reliably between the estrogen and progesterone peaks (Hodges et al 1986;McArthur et al 1981;Nadler et al 1985).…”

Section: Determining Reproductive Phasementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Orangutan menstrual cycles are somewhat shorter than those of chimpanzees (28 vs. 35 days : Knott 2005;Markham 1990;Stumpf 2007;Wallis 1997), but share a similar hormonal profile that contrasts in important ways from those of nonhominoids (Bentley 1999;Czekala et al 1988). In both species, females are sexually receptive outside of the periovulatory period; thus sexual behavior is not strictly controlled by hormonal fluctuations (Dixson 1998).…”

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confidence: 99%

A Comparison of Female Mating Strategies in Pan troglodytes and Pongo spp.

2008

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Orangutans and chimpanzees differ in many aspects of their mating and social systems. Nevertheless, because both great apes require enormous maternal investment in offspring and because female reproductive potential is limited, female orangutans and chimpanzees should be selective of their mates, yet expected to exhibit anti-infanticide strategies such as mating with multiple males. We review and compare mating patterns in orangutans and chimpanzees to understand how these critical pressures are filtered through the different demands of the socioecology of each species. We highlight the variation in female mating behavior as a function of the proximity of ovulation. We conclude that both genera pursue tactics for paternity confusion by mating with multiple males and by mating cooperatively or even proceptively with nonpreferred partners when conception is unlikely. Mating selectivity is suggested by variation in proceptive behavior toward particular partners and by increased resistance of nonpreferred partners during the periovulatory period. Thus, data for both species support a mixed mating strategy whereby females shift their mating behavior in accordance with ovulatory status to accommodate the competing demands of mate selectivity and paternity confusion.

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“…6). Bentley (1999) recently pointed out that reproductive ecology can provide important insights into the evolution of the hominin lineage. Utilizing reproductive ecology to understand the life histories of nonhuman primates is also proving to be especially fruitful (Knott, in press; Muller and Wrangham, in press).…”

Section: Testosterone and Somatic Energy Allocationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive ecology and life history of the human male

Bribiescas

2001

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

211

117

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Until recently, the reproductive ecology of human males has not been extensively investigated, primarily as a result of the need for a theoretical framework based on the reproductive constraints and energetics of mammalian males. More specifically, male reproductive ecology has necessitated an integrative interpretation of clinical and anthropological data based on the premise that the evolution of human male life histories has involved selection for physiological mechanisms aimed at optimizing trade-offs between survivorship and reproductive effort. This paper attempts to address this gap in our understanding by presenting the current state of male reproductive ecology, including physiologic data from clinical and anthropological investigations as well as recent theoretical developments. Recent investigations outlining population variation in reproductive endocrine function are discussed within the context of potential sources of variation, including energetic expediture, caloric intake, and developmental canalization during adolescence. Additional summaries of male senescence and behavior are presented to provide a complete overview of male life history. Implications of recent anthropological data on contemporary health issues such as prostate cancer and the development of a male contraceptive are also discussed. Finally, several theories are presented that may contribute to our understanding of the evolution of male life histories and reproductive ecology, including theoretical suggestions involving the role of competition, mate choosiness, and potential constraints on male insemination ability, as well as a theory suggesting that male reproductive ecology may be best understood by analyzing energetic allocation decisions between differing somatic tissues that may be indicative of the competing needs for optimizing survivorship and reproductive effort. Directions for future research are finally considered.

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Aping our ancestors: Comparative aspects of reproductive ecology

Cited by 48 publications

References 84 publications

Parental investment and the optimization of human family size

Parental investment and the optimization of human family size

A Comparison of Female Mating Strategies in Pan troglodytes and Pongo spp.

Reproductive ecology and life history of the human male

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