relationship between colonization and incest behaviors amongst populations of these beetles. Although the species is indicated to have strong relative, kin, and familial recognition, similar to the lemurs studied by Boulet, the difference of the environment and ecological barriers that were present in the beetle populations have major consequences on their mating choices. (Jordal, Beaver, and Kirkendall, 2001) The sociobiological theory approach to incest avoidance also takes into consideration the role of biological and ecological limitations which enforce different pressures on alternate types of environmental relationships (Hartung, 1985).
There were consistent differences between the beetle populaces that include incest and inbreeding vs …show more content…
The study gives statistical and experimental evidence from past surveys; for example, 13% of New England undergraduates reported to sexual incest experiences with their siblings while 2.5% of Canadian undergraduates reported similarly (both males and females). There are also reported cases of marriage between siblings and inbreeding. Inbreeding depression (selecting against incest) was discussed in the paper as fairly strong factor of nonhuman species to avoid incest. As for human populations however, social rules and the placement of the taboo on the behavior are stronger factors (including punishments that are created to avoid incest). The paper investigates several theories that attempt to explain the evolution of incest avoidance and concludes that punishing violators of the taboo is costly however, the punishments aid to prevent sibling matings which a greater benefit; also, there is more evidence behind evolutionary hypothesises to avoid incest. (Aoki, 2005)
It is also interesting to contrast the literature review of Aoki to Leavitt’s literature review since the latter suggests selection pressures that tolerate incest (i.e. it is able to increase offspring and mating chances during circumstances of resource scarcity). Even though Aoki’s work is specifically on our species (cross-cultural studies) and Leavitt’s is based mostly on non-human species, both articles provide critiques on the convincing evidence from external published work to prove their respective theories on incest avoidance. (Aoki, 2005; Leavitt,
There were consistent differences between the beetle populaces that include incest and inbreeding vs …show more content…
The study gives statistical and experimental evidence from past surveys; for example, 13% of New England undergraduates reported to sexual incest experiences with their siblings while 2.5% of Canadian undergraduates reported similarly (both males and females). There are also reported cases of marriage between siblings and inbreeding. Inbreeding depression (selecting against incest) was discussed in the paper as fairly strong factor of nonhuman species to avoid incest. As for human populations however, social rules and the placement of the taboo on the behavior are stronger factors (including punishments that are created to avoid incest). The paper investigates several theories that attempt to explain the evolution of incest avoidance and concludes that punishing violators of the taboo is costly however, the punishments aid to prevent sibling matings which a greater benefit; also, there is more evidence behind evolutionary hypothesises to avoid incest. (Aoki, 2005)
It is also interesting to contrast the literature review of Aoki to Leavitt’s literature review since the latter suggests selection pressures that tolerate incest (i.e. it is able to increase offspring and mating chances during circumstances of resource scarcity). Even though Aoki’s work is specifically on our species (cross-cultural studies) and Leavitt’s is based mostly on non-human species, both articles provide critiques on the convincing evidence from external published work to prove their respective theories on incest avoidance. (Aoki, 2005; Leavitt,