Homosexual Behaviour in Animals: An Evolutionary Perspective

Volker Sommer, Paul L. Vasey

Cambridge University Press, Jul 27, 2006 - Psychology - 382 pages

Behavioural observations from both the field and captivity indicate that same-sex sexual interactions are widespread throughout the animal kingdom, and occur quite frequently in certain non-human species. Proximate studies of these phenomena have yielded important insights into genetic, hormonal and neural correlates. In contrast, there has been a relative paucity of research on the evolutionary aspects. Homosexual Behaviour in Animals is a 2006 text which seeks to redress this imbalance by exploring animal same-sex sexual behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. Contributions focus on animals that routinely engage in homosexual behaviour and include birds, dolphin, deer, bison and cats, as well as monkeys and apes, such as macaques, gorillas and bonobos. A final chapter looks at human primates. This book will appeal to graduate students and researchers in evolutionary biology, biological anthropology, zoology, evolutionary psychology, animal behaviour and anyone interested in the current state of knowledge in this area of behavioural studies.

Contents

• topics hypotheses and research: 3
• homosociality in male: 45
• atypical partnerships and sexual activity: 77
• sociosexual behaviour and the development: 107
• samesex interaction and competition: 131
• malemale mounting in fallow whitetailed: 154
• Primates: 173
• femalefemale consortships in freeranging: 220
• samesex mounting in Indian: 238
• the development of homosexual behaviour: 273
• Social grease for females? Samesex genital contacts: 294
• implications for human: 316
• Where do we go from here? Research on the evolution: 349
• Against nature? An epilogue about animal sex: 365
• Name and person index: 372

About the author

Volker Sommer is Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology in the University of London.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Homosexual Behaviour in Animals: An Evolutionary Perspective
• Editors: Volker Sommer, Paul L. Vasey
• Contributor: Volker Sommer
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2006
• ISBN: 0521864461, 9780521864466
• Length: 382 pages
• Subjects: Psychology / Cognitive Psychology; Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / General