ian
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
> [mailto:owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com]On Behalf Of Sam Pawlett
> Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 1999 5:36 PM
> To: lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
> Subject: Re: They all do it every which way. (bonobos)
>
>
> John K. Taber wrote:
>
> > I think you're too harsh. What I noticed is that male
> > and female bonobos are equal in size and strength, and
> > thus, I understood (maybe I got it wrong) there is no
> > male dominance.
> >
> > To me that figures. With physical equality comes sexual
> > equality, and a great increase in sex. Of all sorts.
>
> Darwinians attribute male size relative to female as an adaptation to
> competition for the most fit [in a Darwinian sense] females. The
> greater the equality in size, the less the competition between males.
> With the Bonobos, the females are indiscriminately promiscuous so there
> is little male competition for females,little male dominance and so it
> seems no jealousy[ Bonobos never fight or engage in anti-social
> behavior].
> Species like Gorillas who physically fight each other for females
> typically have much larger bodies than females. So, its the other way
> 'round, more sex and more sexual partners leads to equal physical size
> and strength.
>
> Sam Pawlett
>