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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061120/sc_nm/science_chimpanzees_dc_1
Another report from Current Biology. Male chimps chase older females more. Evolutionary psychology debunked? Maybe not:
Older female chimpanzees are more dominant socially and have access to better food. Muller said. "The females that have access to the most food are the most fecund -- the most likely to conceive in any cycle," he said.
Older females may also be better mothers, the researchers guessed.
"The males do end up mating with all the females for the most part," Muller noted. But he said the study challenges common conceptions.
But female chimpanzees do not experience the rapid decline in fertility that is seen in human females after their 20s.
Humans may prefer younger females because of marriage and other "long-term pair-bonds," something that is nonexistent in the promiscuous world of chimps. Human men seeking progeny may need to start with younger prospective mothers, Muller said.
Another report from Current Biology. Male chimps chase older females more. Evolutionary psychology debunked? Maybe not:
Older female chimpanzees are more dominant socially and have access to better food. Muller said. "The females that have access to the most food are the most fecund -- the most likely to conceive in any cycle," he said.
Older females may also be better mothers, the researchers guessed.
"The males do end up mating with all the females for the most part," Muller noted. But he said the study challenges common conceptions.
But female chimpanzees do not experience the rapid decline in fertility that is seen in human females after their 20s.
Humans may prefer younger females because of marriage and other "long-term pair-bonds," something that is nonexistent in the promiscuous world of chimps. Human men seeking progeny may need to start with younger prospective mothers, Muller said.