Primate Sexuality: Comparative studies of the Prosimians, Monkeys, Apes & Human beings

Dixson Alan F, Oxford Univ Pr 546pp (1998) ISBN: 19-850183-8 Hbk & Pbk

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Primate Sexuality's 14 chapters contain a focussed treatment of the morphological and physiological topics now required for even a limited comprehension of such a diverse area. This text is an extremely useful compendium; (some six years in gestation) which delivers an authoritative view of the current status of the principal determinants of reproduction in advanced mammals. There is the expected thoroughness of coverage, from mouse lemurs to man, generously and profusely illustrated with appropriately extensive references. Its main strengths come from the integration of human and non-human data across a range from gametology through brain-sex differentiation to mating tactics and breeding systems. The principal emphasis derives from the author's own strengths, particularly in psychoneuroendocrinology is explored in the final four chapters. The consideration of often-neglected areas such as sexual dimorphism is insightful placing the causal factors in their evolutionary context. This breadth of approach adds a useful corrective to still prevalent white rat-to-man syndrome. Indeed, the book's emphasis accurately reflects its subheading in providing a comprehensive integration of laboratory + field data. Some intriguing comparisons of popular primates with other mammals allow an evaluation of the variously eponymous effects‚ identified amongst (captive) populations of rodents. The data presented allow speculation on the commonality of fertility-regulating devices, such as female cyclic inhibition. which may indicate links across the social mammals as well as amongst primates. A few interesting areas are regrettably under represented - a brief look at sexuality's chromosomal / genomic basis would have been helpful, as would a fuller analysis of post conception events. For non-physiologists perhaps the complexities of the inter-relationships within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system deserve an illustrative explanation. However expansion on such topics as pubertal regulation would probably have over-extended the already dense material, cue for a second volume perhaps?

This is a high level text but ideal for new post-graduate entrants to a demanding interdisciplinary field. The browsing specialist can also profitably dip it into. In his laudatory preamble the current Kinsey Institute director commends it as a 'gold' mine (Bancroft, 1998)- platinum would be nearer the mark.

Primate Sexuality: Comparative studies of the Prosimians, Monkeys, Apes & Human beings

Dixson Alan F, Oxford Univ Pr 546pp (1998) ISBN: 19-850183-8 Hbk & Pbk

Everything you ever wanted to know about sex but never dared ask- it is all in this book! Dixson has produced a superb synthesis of the great range of knowledge that has been produced on primate sexuality giving a book that will be a key reference for those working in a range of related fields.

As the title suggests, the book takes a comparative approach throughout, with a focus on the functional and evolutionary significance of variation in primate sexuality. However, Dixson does not ignore more proximate levels of explanation and includes a wealth of information on developmental, hormonal and neurological control of sexuality. Much of this information is summarised in excellently referenced compilations, which will help anyone needing background information on an area outside of their own expertise. However, experts will also find much worth reading here as, even when the material is familiar, Dixson has new interpretations and fresh insights that are always worth reading.

The book opens with chapters on evolutionary theory and primate classification- these setting out the theoretical background into which the rest of the book is set. Chapters 3 and 4 discus mating systems and mating tactics of both males and females. Here Dixson discusses data from field and captive studies to look at the ways in which individual tactics shape social structures and influence reproductive success. Here and throughout the book, the comparative approach is illustrated with comprehensive compilations of data, interspersed with detailed case histories of particular species. The next 2 chapters discuss patterns of sexual behaviour, looking at both male and female sexual behaviour, sociosexual behaviour and homosexuality. After reviewing and reanalysing data from primates, Dixson compares studies of human sexual behaviour with that of other primates and to discuss the evolution of homosexuality and abnormal sexual preferences.

Chapters 7 - 10 discuss a range of issues relating to sexual selection and the ways in which male and female anatomy have evolved serve their different sexual strategies. Sexual dimorphism, sperm competition, genitalic evolution and gender differences of the brain are all discussed, with the same excellent mix of in depth case studies and comparative analyses being used to investigate a number of evolutionary hypotheses. The final 4 chapters of the book look in detail at female and male neuroendochrinology, including ovarian cycle and its relationship to sexual behaviour and the regulation of sexual behaviour in females and males.

The style of writing is seriously academic. Dixson does not try to skirt around difficult issues or to neatly wrap up topics that are, as yet, unresolved. This honesty is writing is refreshing in a book on sexuality- as so many authors of books on the subject are more concerned with telling a good story than they are with explaining the real complexities of so many of the issues surrounding sexuality. Despite the scholarly nature of this volume it is invariably a good read. This is partly because of the intrinsic lure of any book about sex, but is also because Dixson is not afraid to express opinions or to show enthusiasm for his subject. The opinions are stated clearly in the first person and, although they are sometimes contentious, they often made me rethink my position on these complex issues.

Human sexuality is treated both as a part of primate sexuality (i.e. humans are dealt with as another species to be used in comparative analyses) but also as something that is special. Data from humans is often quoted as a part of the overall primate picture but, in addition, there is a separate section in some chapters discussing how the similarities and differences between humans and other primates might be explained in an evolutionary context.

I have very few criticisms to make of this book and my main one regards the production quality, which does not do justice to the quality of the writing. The page layout is not margins are extremely narrow and, in my copy at least, this has resulted in one table falling off the edge of the page. Some of the figures are also poorly reproduced. I was also irritated by Dixson's use of the word 'man' to describe our own species- something that I always score out with red pen in my student's essays! But these really are minor points. This book could have been written only by someone with knowledge of primate socioecology, hormonal regulation of behaviour and comparative evolutionary analyses. Alan Dixson is one of the very few people who has the depth of knowledge in all of these fields to produce a book of this quality and I think we should be grateful that he has done so. Order this book for your library and for yourselves- it deserves to become a classic text.