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Polygamy and the evolution of human longevity.

Mechanisms of Ageing and Development

|February 1, 1979

Summary

Polygamous dominance in early human evolution accelerated gene incorporation, leading to significant increases in longevity and intelligence. Modern civilization may have halted or reversed this evolutionary trend.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Human evolution
Genetics

Background:

Human longevity and intelligence have rapidly increased over the last few million years.
Previous explanations focus on classical selection pressures, gene frequency changes, and mutation rates.

Purpose of the Study:

To present an alternative explanation for the rapid increase in human longevity and intelligence.
To propose a mechanism for accelerated gene incorporation in social animals.

Main Methods:

The study presents a theoretical model based on social dominance and reproductive strategies.
It contrasts this with classical genetic models of evolution.

Main Results:

Polygamous dominance by males can lead to rapid incorporation of favorable genes in few generations.
Humans may differ from ancestors by thousands of genes, not dozens.
This mechanism explains significant increases in longevity and intelligence.

Conclusions:

Male-dominated polygamy is proposed as a key driver of human evolutionary advancement in longevity and intelligence.
Modern civilization may have arrested or reversed these evolutionary trends.
Genetic variability in humans may parallel that seen in selectively bred animals.

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