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The action of natural selection on the human menstrual cycle: a simulation study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Gérard Métral
Gérard Métral
Affiliation:
Institute of Anthropology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
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Summary

Reproductive performance of the human female is simulated by Monte Carlo methods. The results clearly suggest the operation of natural selection on the length of the female menstrual cycle, brought about by differential fertility. It is argued that the selection pressure towards a shorter cycle, with a selective advantage of approximately 1% per day of shortening, is balanced by internal physiological determinants preventing excessive shortening, so the result is a situation of stabilizing natural selection.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , July 1981 , pp. 337 - 343
Copyright
Copyright © 1981, Cambridge University Press

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References

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