Mammalian Sexuality

The Act of Mating and the Evolution of Reproduction

Inbunden, Engelska, 2021

Av Alan F. Dixson, Alan F. (Victoria University of Wellington) Dixson

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There are more than 6000 species belonging to twenty-seven orders in the Class Mammalia. Comparative studies of this diverse and magnificent array of extant species provide valuable opportunities to formulate and test hypotheses concerning the evolution of reproduction. This is the first book to explore, in depth and breadth, the complex interrelationships that exist between patterns of mating behaviour and the evolution of mammalian reproductive anatomy and physiology. It focuses upon the role that copulatory and post-copulatory sexual selection have played during the evolution of the monotremes, marsupials and placental mammals, and examines the effects of sperm competition and cryptic female choice upon coevolution of the genitalia in the two sexes. In addition, due weight is also given to discussions of the modes of life of mammals, and to the roles played by natural selection and phylogeny in determining their reproductive traits.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2021-06-03
Mått174 x 250 x 23 mm
Vikt920 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor400
FörlagCambridge University Press
ISBN9781108426183

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Däggdjur inom Djur och natur
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Alan F. Dixson is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. His research has involved comparative studies of reproductive biology and the evolution of sexuality in primates and other mammals. During a distinguished career, he has held posts at the Zoological Society of London (1976–1983), Medical Research Council UK (1983–1999), International Medical Research Centre in Gabon (1989–1992), Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Cambridge (1993–1998) and was Director of Conservation and Science at the Zoological Society of San Diego in the USA (1999–2005). He has authored, or co-authored, more than 160 papers and books, including The Mandrill: A Case of Extreme Sexual Selection (Cambridge, 2015).

Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Carnival of the Animals: 1. Quo Vadis?; 2. Mammalian classification and evolution; Part II. The Act of Mating: 3. Copulatory patterns: phylogeny and modes of life; 4. Copulatory interactions and sexual selection; Part III. The Evolution of Reproduction: 5. Phallic structure and function; 6. The testes and spermatozoa; 7. The accessory reproductive glands and ducts; 8. Cooperation, conflict, and cryptic female choice; 9. The evolution of mating-induced and spontaneous ovulation; Part IV. Epilogue: 10. An end of day glass.

'Rarely have I seen a book by a single author that is as comprehensive as this one on mammalian sexuality. One unusual aspect of the text is that the author discusses, clearly and with apparent ease, everything from how aspects of anatomy have developed in tandem with mating behaviour, to detailed discussions of the latest research on sperm transport and its genomic responses within the female reproductive tract. The author provides very clear explanations of important mechanisms such as sperm competition and cryptic female choice, referring to multiple species, many of which will be unfamiliar even to experienced readers. In this sense, the book presents a treasure trove of examples against which to understand comparative reproductive biology. As an impressive bonus the book also contains many of the author's own original drawings of animals and specific anatomical details, which he used to illustrate his points very skilfully.' William V. Holt, University of Sheffield, UK