Effects of early paternal presence upon nonhuman offsprings’ development
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1985 |
Authors: |
K.L. Wuensch |
Publication/Journal: |
American Zoologist |
Keywords: |
aggression, development, growth, mechanisms, offspring, parental care, sexual preference, social behaviors, survival |
Abstract:
Both laboratory and field studies of the effects of pateral care on offspring development are useful for explaining and controlling offspring development, for discovering the mechanisms involved, and for explainig the presence of and variance in paternalcare. Many observers of paternal behaviors have simply assumed that paternal care has beneficial effects on the offspring. This assumption need to be tested. Several experimental research strategies are discussed. Documented effects of paternal presence on offspring development include effects on survival and growth, sexual maturation, sexual preference, aggressiveness, and various social behaviors. Paternal modification of maternal behavior is one very interesting avenue through which fathers may affect the development of their offspring, but it must be remembered that mothers, fathers, and offspring are each part of a complex web of reciprocal relationships.