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Reproductive Frequency

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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science

Definition

High frequency sex is an adaptation to the loss of cues needed to synchronize insemination with ovulation, and it promotes conception in species with low reproductive rates. Moreover, high frequency sex promotes semen tolerance and semen sampling. It also serves as an algorithm for paternal commitment, functions as an anti-cuckoldry strategy, and reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

Introduction

Some species engage in high frequency sex (iteroparous species); others only have sex once in a lifetime (semelparous species), if they are lucky. Species differences in reproductive frequency evolved to promote their replacement value.For sexually reproducing species where each individual has two parents, the replacement value of two offspring for the parents is the equilibrium point for that population. An average replacement value that exceeds 2 means the size of the population will increase, while a value of less than 2 will cause the population to shrink and if it remains in...

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References

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Correspondence to Gordon G. Gallup Jr. .

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Gallup, G.G., Stolz, J.A. (2017). Reproductive Frequency. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3066-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3066-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

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