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Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior pp 1–4Cite as

Overdominance Hypothesis for Male Homosexuality

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Introduction

The complete definition of overdominance according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “the condition wherein a heterozygote produces a phenotype more extreme or better adapted than that of the homozygote.” In other words, overdominance produces a balanced polymorphism where the heterozygote has a greater phenotype value and it is more fit than the homozygous state for either of the alleles that it comprises. Hence, overdominance can also be described as heterozygote advantage, wherein heterozygous individuals have a higher fitness than homozygous individuals.

To clarify the effect of overdominance, the example of sickle cell anemia can be considered. Consulting the American Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines, it appears that this condition is determined by a single polymorphism. Sickle cell anemia results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein hemoglobin; homozygote carriers develop a specific syndrome with number of health problems. Carrier of these...

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Andrea S Camperio Ciani

Authors
  1. Andrea S Camperio Ciani
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Correspondence to Andrea S Camperio Ciani .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland University , Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Jennifer Vonk

  2. Department of Psychology, Oakland University Department of Psychology, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Bard College, Annandale-On-Hudson, NY, USA

    Sarah Dunphy-Lelii

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Ciani, A.S.C. (2018). Overdominance Hypothesis for Male Homosexuality. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1928-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1928-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-47829-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-47829-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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