Promiscuity

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Males are often seen as promiscuous and fiercely competitive, while females, including humans, are thought to be naturally monogamous. This perspective, largely shaped by male authors, has been challenged in recent years. Research now shows that females are surprisingly promiscuous and have developed complex strategies to choose their offspring's fathers. Tim Birkhead reveals a dynamic world where both sexes compete to enhance their reproductive success, employing sophisticated tactics that often undermine one another. He introduces readers to various species, such as fish that become permanently locked in sexual embrace, hermaphrodites that engage in reproductive jousting, and flies whose toxic seminal fluid destroys rival sperm and ultimately harms the female. The journey to our current understanding spans from Aristotle's observations of chickens to the first artificial insemination in the seventeenth century, culminating in modern molecular techniques for paternity testing. Birkhead also examines how human behaviors, from Inuit wife-sharing to Charlie Chaplin's paternity case, are influenced by sperm competition. With engaging prose and rich illustrations, this work serves as a comprehensive exploration of the battle of the sexes.