Sperm Biology: An Evolutionary Perspective

by Scott S. Pitnick (Editor), Dave J. Hosken (Editor), Tim R. Birkhead (Editor)

Overview

Sperm Biology represents the first analysis of the evolutionary significance of sperm phenotypes and derived sperm traits and the possible selection pressures responsible for sperm-egg coevolution.

An understanding of sperm evolution is fast developing and promises to shed light on many topics from basic reproductive biology to the evolutionary process itself as well as the sperm proteome, the sperm genome and the quantitative genetics of sperm. The Editors have identified 15 topics of current interest and biological significance to cover all aspects of this bizarre, fascinating and important subject. It comprises the most comprehensive and up-to-date review of the evolution of sperm and pointers for future research, written by experts in both sperm biology and evolutionary biology. The combination of evolution and sperm is a potent mix, and this is the definitive account.

• The first review survey of this emerging field
• Written by experts from a broad array of disciplines from the physiological and biomedical to the ecological and evolutionary
• Sheds light on the intricacies of reproduction and the coevolution of sperm, egg and reproductive behavior

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080919874
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	11/21/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	674
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Scott Pitnick is a Professor of Biology at Syracuse University in the Center for Reproductive Evolution and Department of Biology. He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from Arizona State University. Since 2014, he has held the endowed Weeden Professorship in Biology. His other current appointments include acting member of the Biology of Spermatozoa Conference Steering Committee, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, International Workshop on Gamete Evolution and Speciation, and the Animal Behavior Society.
David Hosken is the Dean of Strategic Development and Professor of Evolutionary Biology in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter, Cornwall. He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from The University of Western Australia, specializing in sperm competition in bats. He is a member of numerous professional organizations such as the European Society for Evolutionary Biology, The Genetics Society, the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. His areas of expertise are evolutionary biology, statistical genetics, inbreeding, sexual selection, behavioral ecology, and animal behavior.

Table of Contents

Sperm Biology: An Evolutionary Perspective

1. Three Centuries of Sperm Research

2. The Evolutionary Origin and Maintenance of Sperm: Selection for a Small, Motile Gamete Mating Type

3. Sperm Morphological Diversity

4. The Evolution of Spermatogenesis

5. Sperm Motility and Energetics

6. Sperm Competition and Sperm Phenotype

7. Ejaculate-Female and Sperm-Female Interactions

8. The Evolutionary Significance of Variation in Sperm-Egg Interactions

9. Sperm and Speciation

10. Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics of Sperm

11. Sperm Proteomics and Genomics

12. Drive and Sperm: The Evolution and Genetics of Male Meiotic Drive

13. Unusual Gametic and Genetic Systems

14. Sperm and Conservation

15. Sperm, Human Fertility and Society

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From the Publisher

The only complete account of sperm evolution