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Grandparental investment and the epiphenomenon of menopause in recent human history

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 April 2010

Douglas C. Broadfield
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431. broadfie@fau.edu

Abstract

The effects of grandparental investment in relatives are apparent in human groups, suggesting that a postreproductive period in humans is selective. Although investment of relatives in kin produces obvious benefits for kin groups, selection for a postreproductive period in humans is not supported by evidence from chimpanzees. Instead, grandparental investment is likely a recent phenomenon of longevity, rather than an evolved feature.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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