Sexual Selection and the Descent of Man: The Darwinian Pivot

by Bernard Campbell

Book Overview

Just over one hundred and thirty years ago Charles Darwin, in The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871), developed remarkably accurate conclusions about man's ancestry, based on a review of general comparative anatomy and psychology in which he regarded sexual selection as a necessary part of the evolutionary process. But the attention of biologists turned to the more general concept of natural selection, in which sexual selection...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0202020053
• ISBN13: 9780202020051
• Release Date: January 1972
• Publisher: Transaction Publishers
• Length: 388 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Sexual Selection and the Descent of Man

Just over one hundred years ago Charles Darwin, in The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex(1871), developed remarkably accurate conclusions about man's ancestry, based on a review of general comparative anatomy and psychology in which he regarded sexual selection as a necessary part of the evolutionary process. But the attention of biologists turned to the more general concept of natural selection, in which sexual selection plays a complex role that has been little understood. This centenial volume significantly broadens the scope of modern evolutionary biology by looking again at this important and long neglected concept of great importance. In the book - the first full discussion of sexual selection since 1871 - leading biologists bring modern genetic theory and behavior observation to bear on the subject. The distinguished authors consider many aspects of sexual selection in many species, including man, within the context of comtemporary evolutionary research. The result is a remarkably original and well-rounded view of the whole concept that will be invaluable especially to students of evolution and human sexual behavior. The lucid authority of the contributors and the importance of the top will interest all who share in man's perenial fascination with his own history. --- from book's dustjacket