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Evolutionary Patterns of Intersexual Power.

Rebecca J Lewis1, E Christopher Kirk1, Ashley D Gosselin-Ildari2

  • 1Department of Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin, 2201 Speedway, Stop C3200, Austin, TX 78712, USA.

Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|December 9, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sexual dimorphism influences primate social dynamics. Highly dimorphic species often show male-biased power (MP), while less dimorphic species exhibit varied intersexual power dynamics, with non-MP evolving multiple times.

Keywords:
codominancefemale dominancefossilinequalityleveragemale dominanceprimate evolutionsexual dimorphismsocial evolution

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Area of Science:

  • Primate social behavior
  • Evolutionary anthropology
  • Sexual selection

Background:

  • Social inequality in primates can stem from dominance and leverage.
  • Sexual dimorphism and market effects are hypothesized to influence intersexual power dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between sexual dimorphism and intersexual power in primates.
  • To explore how market effects, such as group composition and estrus patterns, impact female power.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic logistic regression and ancestral state reconstructions were used.
  • Data from 79 extant primate species on intersexual power, sexual dimorphism, estrous overlap, and sex ratio were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Male-biased power (MP) was common but not universal across primate clades.
  • MP correlated with greater body mass and canine length dimorphism, and female-biased sex ratios.
  • Low estrous overlap was associated with non-MP dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • While MP may be ancestral in anthropoids, high sexual dimorphism in earlier ancestors likely constrained power relationships.
  • Non-MP has evolved multiple times, suggesting flexibility in primate social structures.
  • The prevalence of MP may be due to linked traits, whereas female-biased power or equality have fewer associated traits.