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The X Chromosome and the Case against Monogomy
New evidence shows that women pass along more genes to kids than men do—and that males historically fathered children with several women.
Researchers examined DNA areas devoid of genes in each of 90 people, including 20 regions on the X chromosomes (present in both male and female mammals) and 20 on the autosomes (the other 22 chromosomes, which are not involved in sex determination). If an equal number of males and females breed successfully, genetic variation in the two kinds of chromosomes should be about equal. Instead, the researchers found much more variation on the X than on autosomes.
The paper explored explanations for this X genetic diversity, concluding that polygyny was the most likely.
3 comments:
Well, it makes sense to me. I've read previously that men have the best chance of passing on their genes by avoiding having all their eggs in one basket, while women with a monogamous partner have the support they need to safely raise their children and successfully pass on their genes.
With the divorce rate the way it is, who is winning?
ok soooooo we shouldn't really tell men this right??? It just gives them more reason to cheat!
. . . not to mention that increasing the population is not desirable. Perhaps monogomy serves to keep population manageable?
Also, polygyny doesn't necessarily mean one man creating children with multiple women at the same time. Men remain fertile for many more years than women do. They could raise one family and then another in older age.
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