Overview

"Why do males and females frequently differ so markedly in body size and morphology? Sex, Size, and Gender Roles is the first book to investigate the genetic, developmental, and physiological basis of sexual size dimorphism found within and among the major taxonomic groups of animals. Carefully edited by a team of world-renowned specialists in the field to ensure a coherence of style and approach between chapters, it presents a compendium of studies into the evolution, adaptive significance, and developmental basis of gender differences in body size and morphology. Adaptive hypotheses allude to gender-specific reproductive roles and associated differences in trophic ecologies, life history strategies, and sexual selection. This ""adaptationist"" approach is balanced by more mechanistic studies of the genetic, developmental and physiological basis of sexual size dimorphism to provide a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the subject. Throughout the volume the emphasis is on sexual dimorphism in overall size; however, the scope of enquiry encompasses gender differences in body shape, the size and structure of secondary sexual characteristics, patterns of growth (ontogeny), and patterns of gene regulation. This advanced, research level text is suitable for graduate level students and researchers in the fields of evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, physiology, developmental biology, and genetics. It will also be of relevance and use to non-biologists from fields such as anthropology and gender studies."

Full Product Details

Author:   Daphne J. Fairbairn (, Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, USA) ,  Wolf U. Blanckenhorn (, Zoologiches Museum, Universität Zürich-Irchel, Switzerland) ,  Tamás Székely (, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, UK)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 19.40cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 25.30cm
Weight:   0.777kg
ISBN:  

9780199208784

ISBN 10:   0199208786
Pages:   278
Publication Date:   05 July 2007
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   Out of stock  

Table of Contents

1: Daphne Fairbairn: Introduction: The Enigma of Sexual Size Dimorphism Section 1: Macro-patterns: explaining broad-scale patterns of variation in sexual size dimorphism 2: Patrik Lindenfors, John L. Gittleman and Kate E. Jones: Sexual Size Dimorphism in Mammals 3: Tamás Székely, Terje Lislevand and Jordi Figuerola: Sexual Size Dimorphism in Birds 4: Robert Cox, Marguerite Butler and Henry John-Alder: The Evolution of Sexual Size Dimorphism in Reptiles 5: Alexander Kupfer: Sexual Size Dimorphism in Amphibians: an overview 6: Wolf U. Blanckenhorn, Rudolf Meier and Tiit Teder: Rensch's Rule in Insects: patterns among and within species 7: Matthias Foellmer and Jordi Moya-Larano: Sexual Size Dimorphism in Spiders: patterns and processes Section 2: Micro-patterns: case studies of patterns and evolutionary processes within and among species 8: Charles W. Fox, R. Craig Stillwell and Jordi Moya-Larano: Variation in Selection, Phenotypic Plasticity and the Ecology of Sexual Size dimorphism in Two Seed-Feeding Beetles 9: Daphne J. Fairbairn: Sexual Dimorphism in Water Striders: a case study of adaptation in response to sexually antagonistic selection 10: Wolf U. Blanckenhorn: Case Studies of the Differential Equilibrium Hypothesis of Sexual Size Dimorphism in Dung Fly Species 11: Lynda Delph: The Genetic Integration of Sexually Dimorphic Traits in the Dioecious Plant, Silene latifolia 12: Isabella Capellini: Dimorphism in the Hartebeest 13: Ellen Kalmbach and Maria M. Benito: Sexual Size Dimorphism and Offspring Vulnerability in Birds 14: Evgeny Roitberg: Variation in Sexual Size Dimorphism within a Widespread Lizard Species 15: Lukás Kratochvíl and Danile Frynta: Phylogenetic Analysis of Sexual Dimorphism in Eye-Lid Geckos (Eublepharidae): the effects of male combat, courtship behaviour, egg size and body size Section 3: Proximate developmental and genetic mechanisms 16: Turk Rhen: Sex Differences: genetic, physiological, and ecological mechanisms 17: Russell Bonduriansky: The Genetic Architecture of Sexual Dimorphism: the potential roles of genomic imprinting and condition dependence 18: Stéphanie Bedhomme and Adam K. Chippindale: Irreconcilable Differences: when sexual dimorphism fails to resolve sexual conflict 19: Henry B. John-Alder and R. M. Cox: Development of Sexual Size Dimorphism in Lizards: testosterone as a bipotential growth regulator 20: Vojtech Jarosík and Alois Honek: Sexual Differences in Insect Development Time in Relation to Sexual Size Dimorphism

Reviews

This excellent volume is filled with the most current and stimulating research on SSD... I found the efficiency of this format unique and effective... The data presentation and flow of ideas among chapters are superb. The editors and contributors are to be commended for the tight organization of the chapters... The volume represents a veritable toolbox for students - molecular techniques, phylogenetic comparative methods, and well-designed field and laboratory experiments are all generously represented. Veteran scholars will find new ideas and approaches in this book because it covers such a wide array of systems... I found this to be an excellent assemblage of contributions that will act as a guiding force in future studies of SSD. The Quarterly Review of Biology For any student or researcher interested in addressing the question of why males and females often differ strikingly in adult body size and morphology, this book is a valuable resource that balances case studies with review chapters. Choice

Author Information

Daphne J. Fairbairn is Professor of Biology at the University of California at Riverside, USA. Wolf U. Blanckenhorn is Titularprofessor at the Zoologisches Museum, Universität Zürich, Switzerland. Tamás Székely is Reader in Evolutionary Biology at the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, UK.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions