The Evolution of Parental Care

by T. H. Clutton-Brock

Overview

Synthesizing studies of parental care in a wide variety of animals, this book is the first attempt to provide general answers to the following important questions: Why does the extent of parental care vary so widely between species? Why do only females care for eggs and young in some animals, only males in others, and both parents in a few? To what extent is parental care adjusted to variation in its benefits to offspring and its costs to parents? How do parents divide their resources between their sons and daughters? In this book separate chapters examine the evolution of variation in egg and neonate size, of viviparity and other forms of bearing, and of differences in the duration of incubation, gestation, and lactation. The book reviews theoretical and empirical predictions concerning the evolution of parental care and examines the extent to which these are supported by empirical evidence. The author examines the distribution of parental care among offspring, reviews the empirical evidence that parents invest to different extents in their sons and daughters, and discusses the degree to which parents manipulate the sex ratio of their progeny in relation to the availability of resources.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691025162
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	03/21/1991
Series:	Monographs in Behavior and Ecology , #10
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

Editorial Reviews

"Clutton-Brock's book is a lucidly written and comprehensive review of the literature. It is an essential guide for those who wish to know who cares and how in the animal kingdom."

New Scientist

"Clutton-Brock's book is a lucidly written and comprehensive review of the literature. It is an essential guide for those who wish to know who cares and how in the animal kingdom."—New Scientist

From the Publisher

Synthesizing studies of parental care in a wide variety of animals, this volume provides general answers to interesting and important questions regarding the principal benefits and costs of parental care; the variance between species in extent of parental care; the variances between species in male, female, or shared care; the variation in care relative to its benefits to offspring and costs to parents, and the division of care accorded male and female offspring. With original drawings by Dafila Scott. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"Clutton-Brock's book is a lucidly written and comprehensive review of the literature. It is an essential guide for those who wish to know who cares and how in the animal kingdom."

New Scientist