Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 5, 2006 22:10:39 GMT 7
I could have enjoyed using this information!!
Promiscuity 'breeds better babies'
November 02, 2006
AUSTRALIAN researchers have found that a mouse-sized marsupial with a promiscuous sex life breeds much healthier babies than her monogamous sisters.
A team of scientists based at the school of botany and zoology (BoZo) at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, has spent the past two years studying the sex life of the brown antechinus.
The brown antechinus is a small carnivorous marsupial, about the size of a mouse, which belongs to the same family as the Tasmanian devil and the quoll.
The research team, led by Dr Diana Fisher, found that promiscuous females of the species were more likely to give birth to healthier offspring than those which had mated with only one male.
“Scientists have developed many theories to explain why some female animals have multiple sex partners, whether it's trading sex for food and protection, dealing with infertile males or avoiding the negative effects of inbreeding in species that can't recognise their relatives,” Dr Fisher said.
“Another theory is that mating with multiple males would result in sperm competition.
“This means that males with the strongest sperm are more likely to become sires and father better quality offspring.
“Until now this theory hasn't been demonstrated convincingly.”
Promiscuity 'breeds better babies'
November 02, 2006
AUSTRALIAN researchers have found that a mouse-sized marsupial with a promiscuous sex life breeds much healthier babies than her monogamous sisters.
A team of scientists based at the school of botany and zoology (BoZo) at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, has spent the past two years studying the sex life of the brown antechinus.
The brown antechinus is a small carnivorous marsupial, about the size of a mouse, which belongs to the same family as the Tasmanian devil and the quoll.
The research team, led by Dr Diana Fisher, found that promiscuous females of the species were more likely to give birth to healthier offspring than those which had mated with only one male.
“Scientists have developed many theories to explain why some female animals have multiple sex partners, whether it's trading sex for food and protection, dealing with infertile males or avoiding the negative effects of inbreeding in species that can't recognise their relatives,” Dr Fisher said.
“Another theory is that mating with multiple males would result in sperm competition.
“This means that males with the strongest sperm are more likely to become sires and father better quality offspring.
“Until now this theory hasn't been demonstrated convincingly.”
