Which mammals are more monogamous than humans?

California mice, African wild dogs, Damaraland mole-rats, beavers, and lar gibbons exhibit higher monogamy fidelity than humans.

How did Mark Dyble measure monogamy in humans?

Mark Dyble used archaeological and ethnographic data to measure the proportion of full siblings within human populations.

What is the 'monogamy hypothesis'?

The "monogamy hypothesis" suggests that monogamous relationships and fully related offspring enable populations to achieve high levels of internal cooperation.

Home / Science / Humans Rank 7th in Mammal Monogamy Fidelity

Humans Rank 7th in Mammal Monogamy Fidelity

10 Dec

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Summary

Humans rank seventh in monogamy fidelity among mammals.
Monogamy index measured the proportion of full siblings.
Study suggests monogamy aids human cooperation.

Humans Rank 7th in Mammal Monogamy Fidelity

Humans have been placed seventh in a global ranking of monogamous mammals concerning partner fidelity, according to research by evolutionary anthropologist Mark Dyble. This places our species behind animals such as beavers and tamarins, who exhibit higher rates of fidelity.

The study compiled data from over 100 human populations and 34 mammal species, using the proportion of full siblings within a population as the key metric. Humans demonstrated a wide range in this index, averaging an estimated 66% fidelity.

This research bolsters the "monogamy hypothesis," suggesting that monogamous reproduction, which ensures fully related offspring, has been crucial for humans to develop extensive cooperative communities by facilitating the recognition of close genetic relationships.

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