Mammalian Sexuality: The Act of Mating and the Evolution of Reproduction

ISBN-13: 9781108426183 / Angielski / Twarda / 2021 / 400 str.

Alan F. Dixson (Victoria University of W

Opis

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.

Recenzje

'… Mammalian Sexuality was a pleasure to read, filled with novel insights, as well as dramatic, carefully described details of mammalian mating. I expect that although there is more yet to learn about mammalian sexuality, this volume is bound to be one of those books that never gathers dust on the shelf.' Patricia Adair Gowaty, The Quarterly Review of Biology

Spis treści

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.