How large (as a proportion of body size) should the testes of chimpanzee males be relative to gorilla testes (Harcourt et al. 1981)? If the testes of men are more similar to those of chimpanzees, what would this tell us about the intensity of sperm competition during our evolutionary past? If, on the other hand, human testes resemble those of gorillas
Mate guarding is an evolved response to sperm competition. Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) females regularly mate with several males in the same estrous cycle, whereas gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) females almost never do, since they typically live in bands, each controlled by a single, powerful male. How large (as a proportion of body size) should the testes of chimpanzee males be relative to gorilla testes (Harcourt et al. 1981)? If the testes of men are more similar to those of chimpanzees, what would this tell us about the intensity of sperm competition during our evolutionary past? If, on the other hand, human testes resemble those of gorillas, what conclusion is justified?
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