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Valge M, Meitern R, Hõrak P. Sexually antagonistic selection on educational attainment and body size in Estonian children. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2022; 1516:271-285. [PMID: 35815461 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution, which results from the differential reproduction of phenotypes. We describe fecundity selection at different parity transitions on 15 anthropometric traits and educational attainment in Estonian children sampled in the middle of 20th century. The direction of selection on educational attainment and bodily traits was sexually antagonistic, and it occurred via different parity transitions in boys and girls. Compared to boys with primary education, obtaining tertiary education was associated with 3.5 times and secondary education two times higher odds of becoming a father. Transition to motherhood was not related to educational attainment, while education above primary was associated with lower odds (OR = 0.5-0.7) to progression to parities above one and two. Selection on anthropometric traits occurred almost exclusively via childlessness in boys, while among the girls, most of the traits that were associated with becoming a mother were additionally associated with a transition from one child to higher parities. Male (but not female) fitness was thus primarily determined by traits related to mating success. Selection favored stronger and larger boys and smaller girls. Selection on girls favored some traits that associate with perceived femininity, while other feminine traits were selected against.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Valge
- Department of Zoology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Peeter Hõrak
- Department of Zoology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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DeLecce T, Fink B, Shackelford T, Abed MG. No Evidence for a Relationship between Intelligence and Ejaculate Quality. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 18:1474704920960450. [PMID: 32945185 PMCID: PMC10358410 DOI: 10.1177/1474704920960450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic quality may be expressed through many traits simultaneously, and this would suggest a phenotype-wide fitness factor. In humans, intelligence has been positively associated with several potential indicators of genetic quality, including ejaculate quality. We conducted a conceptual replication of one such study by investigating the relationship between intelligence (assessed by the Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices Test-Short Form) and ejaculate quality (indexed by sperm count, sperm concentration, and sperm motility) in a sample of 41 men (ages ranging 18 to 33 years; M = 23.33; SD = 3.60). By self-report, participants had not had a vasectomy, and had never sought infertility treatment. We controlled for several covariates known to affect ejaculate quality (e.g., abstinence duration before providing an ejaculate) and found no statistically significant relationship between intelligence and ejaculate quality; our findings, therefore, do not match those of Arden, Gottfredson, Miller et al. or those of previous studies. We discuss limitations of this study and the general research area and highlight the need for future research in this area, especially the need for larger data sets to address questions around phenotypic quality and ejaculate quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara DeLecce
- Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Bernhard Fink
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
- Biosocial Science Information, Biedermannsdorf, Austria
- Department of Behavioral Ecology, University of Goettingen, Germany
| | - Todd Shackelford
- Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Mohaned G. Abed
- King Abdulaziz University, Educational Graduate Studies, Al Ehtifalat St, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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Centralization or Decentralization of Environmental Governance—Evidence from China. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11246938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
From the perspective of environmental federalism, we extracted the environmental intention words from the work reports of China’s central and provincial governments through data mining, and used the instrumental variable method to conduct empirical experiments concerning the dispute between centralization and decentralization of environmental governance in the Chinese context. The results suggest that a negative correlation exists between the intention of the central government’s environmental governance and the provincial environmental quality, whereas a positive correlation exists between the intention of the provincial government and the provincial environmental quality. Our interpretation is that environmental centralization, coupled with its political, economic, and cultural factors, has converted provincial governments into supporters of environmental pollution, and that the central government’s ongoing environmental protection inspection campaign has forced the provincial government to be somewhat effective. We propose establishing Chinese-style cooperative federalism in environmental authority and not only centralizing or decentralizing in one direction. New transition mechanisms for the central government’s authority should be implemented, such as the environmental protection inspection groups mechanism and the ecological gross domestic product based political tournament.
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Foo YZ, Simmons LW, Peters M, Rhodes G. Perceived physical strength in men is attractive to women but may come at a cost to ejaculate quality. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Butovskaya ML, Windhager S, Karelin D, Mezentseva A, Schaefer K, Fink B. Associations of physical strength with facial shape in an African pastoralist society, the Maasai of Northern Tanzania. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197738. [PMID: 29852024 PMCID: PMC5978875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous research has documented associations of physical strength and facial morphology predominantly in men of Western societies. Faces of strong men tend to be more robust, are rounder and have a prominent jawline compared with faces of weak men. Here, we investigate whether the morphometric patterns of strength-face relationships reported for members of industrialized societies can also be found in members of an African pastoralist society, the Maasai of Northern Tanzania. MATERIALS AND METHODS Handgrip strength (HGS) measures and facial photographs were collected from a sample of 185 men and 120 women of the Maasai in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. In young-adults (20-29 years; n = 95) and mid-adults (30-50 years; n = 114), we digitized 71 somatometric landmarks and semilandmarks to capture variation in facial morphology and performed shape regressions of landmark coordinates upon HGS. Results were visualized in the form of thin-plate plate spline deformation grids and geometric morphometric morphs. RESULTS Individuals with higher HGS tended to have wider faces with a lower and broader forehead, a wider distance between the medial canthi of the eyes, a wider nose, fuller lips, and a larger, squarer lower facial outline compared with weaker individuals of the same age-sex group. In mid-adult men, these associations were weaker than in the other age-sex groups. DISCUSSION We conclude that the patterns of HGS relationships with face shape in the Maasai are similar to those reported from related investigations in samples of industrialized societies. We discuss differences between the present and related studies with regard to knowledge about the causes for age- and sex-related facial shape variation and physical strength associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina L. Butovskaya
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
- National Research University, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Social Anthropology Research and Education Center, Russian State University for Humanities, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sonja Windhager
- Department of Theoretical Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dimitri Karelin
- Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Anna Mezentseva
- Social Anthropology Research and Education Center, Russian State University for Humanities, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Katrin Schaefer
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Fink
- Department of Behavioral Ecology, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Goettingen, Germany
- Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg, Institute for Advanced Study, Delmenhorst, Germany
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Jeffery AJ, Pham MN, Shackelford TK, Fink B. Does human ejaculate quality relate to phenotypic traits? Am J Hum Biol 2015; 28:318-29. [PMID: 26626022 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A given man's phenotype embodies cues of his ancestral ability to effectively defend himself and his kin from harm, to survive adverse conditions, and to acquire status and mating opportunities. In this review, we explore the hypothesis that a man's phenotype also embodies cues to fertility or the probability that an ejaculate will fertilize ova. Female mate choice depends on the ability to discern the quality of a male reproductive partner through his phenotype, and male fertility may be among the traits that females have evolved to detect. A female who selects as mates males that deliver higher quality ejaculates will, on average, be more fecund than her competitors. Data on several non-human species demonstrate correlations between ejaculate quality and secondary sexual characteristics that inform female mate choice, suggesting that females may select mates in part on the basis of fertility. While the non-human literature on this topic has advanced, the human literature remains limited in scope and there is no clear consensus on appropriate methodologies or theoretical positions. We provide a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of this literature, and conclude by proposing solutions to the many issues that impede progress in the field. In the process, we hope to encourage interest and insight from investigators in other areas of human mating and reproductive biology. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:318-329, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael N Pham
- Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, 48307
| | - Todd K Shackelford
- Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, 48307
| | - Bernhard Fink
- Institute of Psychology and Courant Research Center Evolution of Social Behavior, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Kekäläinen J, Soler C, Veentaus S, Huuskonen H. Male Investments in High Quality Sperm Improve Fertilization Success, but May Have Negative Impact on Offspring Fitness in Whitefish. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137005. [PMID: 26389594 PMCID: PMC4577118 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Many ejaculate traits show remarkable variation in relation to male social status. Males in disfavoured (subordinate) mating positions often invest heavily on sperm motility but may have less available resources on traits (e.g., secondary sexual ornaments) that improve the probability of gaining matings. Although higher investments in sperm motility can increase the relative fertilization success of subordinate males, it is unclear whether status-dependent differences in sperm traits could have any consequences for offspring fitness. We tested this possibility in whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) by experimentally fertilizing the eggs of 24 females with the sperm of either highly-ornamented (large breeding tubercles, dominant) or less-ornamented (small tubercles, subordinate) males (split-clutch breeding design). In comparison to highly-ornamented individuals, less-ornamented males had higher sperm motility, which fertilized the eggs more efficiently, but produced embryos with impaired hatching success. Also offspring size and body condition were lower among less-ornamented males. Furthermore, sperm motility was positively associated with the fertilization success and offspring size, but only in highly-ornamented males. Together our results indicate that male investments on highly motile (fertile) sperm is not necessarily advantageous during later offspring ontogeny and that male status-dependent differences in sperm phenotype may have important effects on offspring fitness in different life-history stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jukka Kekäläinen
- Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Carles Soler
- Departament de Biologia Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Sami Veentaus
- Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Hannu Huuskonen
- Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
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Tarín JJ, García-Pérez MA, Hamatani T, Cano A. Infertility etiologies are genetically and clinically linked with other diseases in single meta-diseases. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2015; 13:31. [PMID: 25880215 PMCID: PMC4404574 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-015-0029-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The present review aims to ascertain whether different infertility etiologies share particular genes and/or molecular pathways with other pathologies and are associated with distinct and particular risks of later-life morbidity and mortality. In order to reach this aim, we use two different sources of information: (1) a public web server named DiseaseConnect ( http://disease-connect.org ) focused on the analysis of common genes and molecular mechanisms shared by diseases by integrating comprehensive omics and literature data; and (2) a literature search directed to find clinical comorbid relationships of infertility etiologies with only those diseases appearing after infertility is manifested. This literature search is performed because DiseaseConnect web server does not discriminate between pathologies emerging before, concomitantly or after infertility is manifested. Data show that different infertility etiologies not only share particular genes and/or molecular pathways with other pathologies but they have distinct clinical relationships with other diseases appearing after infertility is manifested. In particular, (1) testicular and high-grade prostate cancer in male infertility; (2) non-fatal stroke and endometrial cancer, and likely non-fatal coronary heart disease and ovarian cancer in polycystic ovary syndrome; (3) osteoporosis, psychosexual dysfunction, mood disorders and dementia in premature ovarian failure; (4) breast and ovarian cancer in carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations in diminished ovarian reserve; (5) clear cell and endometrioid histologic subtypes of invasive ovarian cancer, and likely low-grade serous invasive ovarian cancer, melanoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in endometriosis; and (6) endometrial and ovarian cancer in idiopathic infertility. The present data endorse the principle that the occurrence of a disease (in our case infertility) is non-random in the population and suggest that different infertility etiologies are genetically and clinically linked with other diseases in single meta-diseases. This finding opens new insights for clinicians and reproductive biologists to treat infertility problems using a phenomic approach instead of considering infertility as an isolated and exclusive disease of the reproductive system/hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In agreement with a previous validation analysis of the utility of DiseaseConnect web server, the present study does not show a univocal correspondence between common gene expression and clinical comorbid relationship. Further work is needed to untangle the potential genetic, epigenetic and phenotypic relationships that may be present among different infertility etiologies, morbid conditions and physical/cognitive traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Tarín
- Department of Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, 46100, Spain.
| | - Miguel A García-Pérez
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, 46100, Spain.
- Research Unit-INCLIVA, Hospital Clínico de Valencia, Valencia, 46010, Spain.
| | - Toshio Hamatani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
| | - Antonio Cano
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, 46010, Spain.
- Service of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinic Hospital, Valencia, 46010, Spain.
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