Optimal Outbreeding and the Development of Sexual Preferences in Japanese Quail

Bateson, Patrick

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1980.tb01052.x

Cited by 214 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Some studies suggest that physical attractiveness is not necessarily a good predictor of mating patterns [44], [49]. This might be especially true of humans since mate choice is influenced by cultural factors as well as psychological predispositions in our species [50], [51].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Geographic Variation in Chin Shape Challenges the Universal Facial Attractiveness Hypothesis

Thayer

Dobson

2013

PLoS ONE

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The universal facial attractiveness (UFA) hypothesis proposes that some facial features are universally preferred because they are reliable signals of mate quality. The primary evidence for this hypothesis comes from cross-cultural studies of perceived attractiveness. However, these studies do not directly address patterns of morphological variation at the population level. An unanswered question is therefore: Are universally preferred facial phenotypes geographically invariant, as the UFA hypothesis implies? The purpose of our study is to evaluate this often overlooked aspect of the UFA hypothesis by examining patterns of geographic variation in chin shape. We collected symphyseal outlines from 180 recent human mandibles (90 male, 90 female) representing nine geographic regions. Elliptical Fourier functions analysis was used to quantify chin shape, and principle components analysis was used to compute shape descriptors. In contrast to the expectations of the UFA hypothesis, we found significant geographic differences in male and female chin shape. These findings are consistent with region-specific sexual selection and/or random genetic drift, but not universal sexual selection. We recommend that future studies of facial attractiveness take into consideration patterns of morphological variation within and between diverse human populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Archaic humans, such as Homo erectus , tended to have less prominent chins [43]. Thus, given that sexual selection is often frequency dependent [44], a genetic legacy from archaic Homo in Australasia might have biased female preferences toward less prominent chins in males. These hypotheses are in need of further examination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographic Variation in Chin Shape Challenges the Universal Facial Attractiveness Hypothesis

Thayer

Dobson

2013

PLoS ONE

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“…Consistent with a system of optimal outbreeding, great frigate birds, Fregata minor, have been found to choose a mate that is more genetically similar to themselves than would be expected under random mating (Cohen & Derhorn, 2004). Some of the best evidence for optimal outbreeding comes from studies that use a specifically bred pedigree to accurately calculate the inbreeding coefficient (Bateson, 1980). From mate choice experiments on laboratory mice, Barnard & Fitzsimons (1988) demonstrated a preference for mating with an intermediate relative, and went on to show that crosses between intermediate relatives were associated with higher reproductive output (Barnard & Fitzsimons, 1989), although no effect of mate relatedness was found for fitness variables such as pup mortality, weight, or growth rate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

No evidence for optimal fitness at intermediate levels of inbreeding in Drosophila melanogaster

Robinson¹,

Kennington²,

Simmons³

2009

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society

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Optimal outbreeding theory predicts fitness benefits to intermediate levels of inbreeding. In the present study, we test for linear (consistent with inbreeding depression) and nonlinear (consistent with optimal outbreeding) effects of inbreeding on reproductive fitness in male and female Drosophila melanogaster. We found linear declines in fitness associated with increased inbreeding for egg-to-adult viability, but not the number of eggs laid or sperm competitive ability. Egg-to-adult viability was also lower in the progeny of inbred males and females mated to unrelated individuals. However, there was no evidence for optimal fitness at intermediate levels of inbreeding for any trait. The present study highlights the importance of considering biologically realistic levels of inbreeding and cross-generational effects when investigating the costs and benefits of mating with relatives.

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“…Outbreeding can also have negative consequences, however, such as causing the disruption of locally selected gene complexes (Marshall and Spalton 2000). Indeed, there may be an optimal level of outbreeding/inbreeding which balances the advantages/disadvantages of each (Bateson 1980). In humans, negative outcomes of having offspring with closely related individuals include higher neonatal and infant mortality and higher incidences of single-gene disorders (Bittles and Neel 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixed-Ethnicity Face Shape and Attractiveness in Humans

et al. 2012

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Abstract. Many studies show agreement within and between populations and cultures for general judgments of facial attractiveness. Studies that have examined the attractiveness of specific traits have also highlighted cross-cultural differences for factors such as symmetry, averageness, and masculinity. One trait that should be preferred across cultures is heterozygosity. Indeed, several studies suggest that mixed ethnicity, in terms of appearing to possess a mixture of traits from different human population groups, may be found attractive, which could reflect preferences for heterozygosity. We examined preferences for manipulated face shape associated with different populations in both Europeans (Britain) and Africans (Guinea-Bissau). We found that mixed-ethnicity face shapes were more attractive than enhanced single-ethnicity face shape across both populations. These results are consistent with evolutionary theories suggesting individuals should prefer heterozygosity in partners because facial cues to mixed-ethnicity are likely to indicate diverse genes compared to cues that indicate a face belongs to a single particular culture or population.

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Optimal Outbreeding and the Development of Sexual Preferences in Japanese Quail

Cited by 214 publications

References 28 publications

Geographic Variation in Chin Shape Challenges the Universal Facial Attractiveness Hypothesis

Geographic Variation in Chin Shape Challenges the Universal Facial Attractiveness Hypothesis

No evidence for optimal fitness at intermediate levels of inbreeding in Drosophila melanogaster

Mixed-Ethnicity Face Shape and Attractiveness in Humans

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