Why do males and females frequently differ so markedly in body size and morphology?lSex, Size, and Gender Roles is the first book to investigate the genetic, developmental, and physiological basis of sexual size dimorphism found within and among the major taxonomic groups of animals. Carefully edited by a team of world-renowned specialists in the field to ensure a coherence of ...
Why do males and females frequently differ so markedly in body size and morphology?lSex, Size, and Gender Roles is the first book to investigate the genetic, developmental, and physiological basis of sexual size dimorphism found within and among the major taxonomic groups of animals. Carefully edited by a team of world-renowned specialists in the field to ensure a coherence of style and approach between chapters, it presents a compendium of studies into the evolution, adaptive significance, and developmental basis of gender differences in body size and morphology. Adaptive hypotheses allude to gender-specific reproductive roles and associated differences in trophic ecologies, life history strategies, and sexual selection. This "adaptationist" approach is balanced by more mechanistic studies of the genetic, developmental and physiological basis of sexual size dimorphism to provide a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the subject. Throughout the volume the emphasis is on sexual dimorphism in overall size; however, the scope of enquiry encompasses gender differences in body shape, the size and structure of secondary sexual characteristics, patterns of growth (ontogeny), and patterns of gene regulation. This advanced, research level text is suitable for graduate level students and researchers in the fields of evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, physiology, developmental biology, and genetics. It will also be of relevance and use to non-biologists from fields such as anthropology and gender studies.
原文摘录
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Although such examples of extreme male-biased
SSD are impressive, they pale in comparison to the
extremes reached in many taxa where females are
the larger sex. Moderate, female-biased SSD is by
far the most common pattern in both animals and
dioecious flowering plants (Greenwood and
Adams 1987; Fairbairn 1997; Geber et al. 1999; see
also other chapters in this volume). Even among
birds and mammals, where male-biased SSD generally
predominates, several major lineages are
characterized by moderate female-biased SSD (e.g.
bats (Chiroptera), rabbits and hares (Lagomorpha,
Leporidae), baleen whales (Mysticeti), raptors
(Falconiformes), and owls (Strigiformes)), and
many other lineages include at least some species
in which females are slightly larger than males
(Ralls 1976; Fairbairn 1997; (查看原文)
还没人写过短评呢