Monogamy Mating Strategies and Partnerships in Birds, Humans and Other Mammals [Hardcover]

This book explores the biological roots of social, sexual and reproductive monogamy in birds, mammals and humans.Why do birds often live in pairs and rear chicks together, whereas female mammals usually live in groups and rear their young without male help? Why do males sometimes live with a single mate when they are capable of fertilizing more than one female's eggs? Is male helping behaviour important for monogamous partnerships? This book provides answers concerning the biological roots of social monogamy in animal groups as diverse as ungulates, carnivores, rodents, birds and primates including humans for students and researchers in behavioural ecology, evolutionary anthropology and zoology.Why do birds often live in pairs and rear chicks together, whereas female mammals usually live in groups and rear their young without male help? Why do males sometimes live with a single mate when they are capable of fertilizing more than one female's eggs? Is male helping behaviour important for monogamous partnerships? This book provides answers concerning the biological roots of social monogamy in animal groups as diverse as ungulates, carnivores, rodents, birds and primates including humans for students and researchers in behavioural ecology, evolutionary anthropology and zoology.Why do birds often live in pairs and rear chicks together, whereas female mammals usually live in groups and rear their young without male help? Why do males sometimes live with a single mate when they are capable of fertilizing more than one female's eggs? Is male helping behavior important for monogamous partnerships? This book provides answers concerning the biological roots of social monogamy in animal groups as diverse as ungulates, carnivores, rodents, birds and primates (including humans) for students and researchers in behavioral ecology, evolutionary anthropology and zoology.Introduction: 1. Monogamy: past and present Ulrich H. Reichard; Part I. Evolution of Social Monogamy: 2. The evoll³+