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Evolutionary Ecology of the Human Female Life History

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Sex and Longevity: Sexuality, Gender, Reproduction, Parenthood

Part of the book series: Research and Perspectives in Longevity ((RPL))

Summary

The human female life history is characterised by several unusual features compared to other apes, including large babies, late puberty and a rapid reproductive rate, followed by the menopause. In this review I examine human life history from an evolutionary ecological perspective.

The evidence for life history trade-offs between fertility and mortality in humans is reviewed. Patterns of growth, fertility and mortality across the life span are illustrated with data from a traditional Gambian population. The stages of the human life course are outlined, followed by a discussion of the evolution of menopause — the curtailing of female reproduction long before death. The evidence that this stage evolved because investment in children’s future reproductive success is more important than continuing childbearing into old age is reviewed, along with data relating to the biological constraints that may be operating.

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Authors
  1. R. Mace
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Val d’Aurelle, Equipe INSERM Démographie et Santé, Parc Euromédecine, 34298 Montpellier cedex 5, France

    Jean-Marie Robine

  2. Department of Gerontology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6BE, UK

    Thomas B. L. Kirkwood

  3. Wolfson Research Centre, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6BE, UK

    Thomas B. L. Kirkwood

  4. Fondation IPSEN, 24, rue Erlanger, 75781 Paris Cedex 16, France

    Michel Allard

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© 2001 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Mace, R. (2001). Evolutionary Ecology of the Human Female Life History. In: Robine, JM., Kirkwood, T.B.L., Allard, M. (eds) Sex and Longevity: Sexuality, Gender, Reproduction, Parenthood. Research and Perspectives in Longevity. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59558-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59558-5_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-64026-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-59558-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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