11.1 Chapter Objectives
Learning Objectives
Our objective for this chapter is to present some patterns related to observed male:female sex ratios, in both human and non-human populations. We’ll also discuss several factors affecting sex ratios, and hypotheses for understanding skewed sex-allocation phenomena. By the end of your reading and our in-class discussion, you will be able to:
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- Define the following terms:
- operational sex ratio
- sex allocation
- List the three key factors that influence population sex ratios
- Describe the Trivers-Willard hypothesis for sex allocation, and cite evidence in support of this hypothesis
- Explain alternative hypotheses for explaining skewed sex ratios in organisms with chromosomal (genetic) sex determination
- Define the following terms:
