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(Image source: Flickr / Reon3010)
BY JAMAL ANDRESS
Monogamy is the norm for plenty of reasons, ranging from finances to old-fashioned love.
But what researchers are dubbing the original reason behind long-term coupling may surprise
you. British and Australian researchers have compared
data from 230 primate species over 75 million years, and have found monogamy developed as
a way to protect infants. (via Youtube / WorldPrimateSafaris) " ... the threat of infanticide — specifically,
the threat of baby primates being killed by unrelated males — likely triggered monogamy."
(via LiveScience) The study's lead author says this project
puts to bed other theories for how monogamy came about, including the ideas of guarding
the female or co-parenting. He told RedOrbit this is the first time theories
about the evolution of monogamy have been systematically tested.
According to New Scientist, the team looked at behavioural traits associated with different
theories, and using genetic relationships between species, ran millions of computer
simulations. "... only behaviours associated with infanticide actually preceded [the evolution
of monogamy]..." The researchers have also concluded that while
this study was done specifically on primates, it can be applied to humans. But one primatologist
begs to differ. (via Youtube / DarkoMFS) He writes "The results are very solid" but
says he "would be very careful to conclude from this paper that infanticide risk was
also the main factor underlying human monogamy... the current monogamy is socially imposed."
(via Science) The study also notes monogamy is extremely
rare in the animal kingdom. Less than three percent of mammalian species engage in the
practice.