2010 Vol 101.pdf (1.63mb) - Primate Society of Great Britain

In 16 chapters various authors review a large range of studies on recent
research that look at relationships hormones and social relationships. The
first section of the book introduces important theoretical ideas. Lee’s
introduction to animal mating and parenting systems gives a framework for
the rest of the book- as it discusses the evolutionary basis of diversity in
social systems and the ways in which different parenting systems might
evolve. Further chapters introduce the ways in which mammalian
neuroendocrine system integrates neural and hormonal responses to the
environment and the physiological mechanisms that regulate it (Wallen and
Hauser; Wingfield) and Ellison’s chapter focuses on how the endocrine
system regulates reproductive ecology. Ellison makes the crucial point that
the evolution of the endocrine system can only be understood in relation to
evolution as ‘social relationships trigger endocrine signals to help regulate
reproductive effort’. Given this, it is perhaps not surprisingly that much of
the book focuses on the ways in which hormones regulate reproductive
systems, with sexual and parental relationships being discussed in detail and
an emphasis on sexual dimorphism and infant care patterns.
The majority of the book looks at humans, with all of part three (chapters
10-16) looking at humans, and some of the other chapters also being
primarily human-focused. However, part two has four chapters that look at
non-human animals with one (Carter et al.) discussing rodents and three
non-human primates. The non-human primate chapters look at
endocrinology of social relationships in callitrichids (Ziegler and Snowdon),
other group living monkeys (Fairbanks) and apes (Emery Thompson). All
three of the non-human primate chapters provide excellent overviews of
recent research but with different areas highlighted. Zeigler and Snowdon
give an overview of a range of work carried out on pair-bonding and
parental care in callitrichids and stress the importance of long-term bonds
and chemical signalling for reproductive success in these species. Hence,
they focus particularly on hormonal regulation of parental care and
communication between mated pairs. In contrast, Fairbanks deals primarily
with studies on group-living matrilineal monkeys where paternal care in
minimal and male rank is likely to have a major influence on male
reproductive success. Fairbanks discusses hormonal correlates of
dominance and aggression in a range of species, including some extremely
useful summary tables that allow the reader to easily see the variety of
species and hormonal studies. Finally, Emery Thompson examines how the
evolution of mating systems and reproductive strategies in apes are related
to the endocrine physiology of female cycling and male competition.
Some interesting themes arise through the book. For example, authors
comment on the way in which paternal care influences males in both
humans and other species. Lancaster and Kaplan discuss how male’s
commitment to pair-bonding may be increased with the birth of children
and Zeigler and Snowdon explain the effect of previous paternal experience
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