Sex allocation, sex ratios and reproduction

Hardy, Ian C.W.; Boulton, Rebecca A.

Abstract

Sex allocation theory provides a powerful framework for understanding a range of reproductive behavior, including the numerical sex ratio of the progeny that parents produce. Starting with evolutionary explanations for why many species have unbiased sex ratios, sex ratio theory has developed to account for the major exceptions and is now extremely detailed and sophisticated, due to an excellent interchange between model development and empirical testing. While sex ratios are a fascinating aspect of behavior in their own right, their study has also improved the general understanding of evolutionary processes and the potential to tackle important medical and ecological problems.

Citation

Hardy, I. C., & Boulton, R. A. (2019). Sex allocation, sex ratios and reproduction. In J. Choe (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior (464-471). (2nd edition). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-045337-8.00194-7

• Acceptance Date: Feb 9, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jan 25, 2019
• Publication Date: Jan 25, 2019
• Deposit Date: Feb 15, 2018
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 464-471
• Edition: 2nd edition
• Book Title: Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior
• ISBN: 9780128132517
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-045337-8.00194-7
• Keywords: Environmental quality; Group structure; Local mate competition; Local resource competition; Local resource enhancement; Parental investment; Sex allocation; Sex determination; Sex
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/911043