Do the following traits/ behaviors best characterize humans, chimps, or both?

Males can potentially father many more offspring than females can mother
[ Select ]
Humans
Chimps
Both

Question

Do the following traits/ behaviors best characterize humans, chimps, or both?

Males can potentially father many more offspring than females can mother 
[ Select ]
Humans
Chimps
Both

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks which group best fits the trait: 'Males can potentially father many more offspring than females can mother.'
Option 1: Humans. It is true that human males can have higher potential reproductive output than females, especially in contexts where offspring are spaced or where female fertility is limited by gestation and lactation. However, this is not unique to humans alone; many species exhibit a male-biased potential for reproduction due to sexual selection and parental investment patterns. Therefore, labeling this trait as specific to humans would be incomplete.
Option 2: Chimps. In chimpanzees, males typically have higher reproductive variance than females, and high-status males can father many offspring. This aligns with the idea that a single male can sire multiple offspring while most females have a more limited number of offspring over a given period, reflecting the mating system and infant care dynamics observed in chimp communities. Yet, as with humans, this pattern is not exclusive to chimps; there are other species with similar dynamics.
Option 3: Both. Across many primate species, including humans and chimpanzees, males can potentially father more offspring than females can mother due to differences in parental investment, mating opportunities, and sexual selection pressures. This broader perspective captures the general biological principle that male reproductive variance can be higher than female in many species, including both humans and chimpanzees.
In explaining potential misconceptions: choosing Humans alone might overlook the shared reproductive strategy seen in other primates, while selecting Chimps alone could ignore human variation and cultural factors that influence reproduction. Claiming ‘Both’ recognizes the common evolutionary pattern of male reproductive output exceeding female output in these species, while also acknowledging that exact numbers and social structures vary by species and context.
Overall, the statement aligns with the general principle of male reproductive variance being higher than female in both humans and chimpanzees, supporting the selection of 'Both' as the best characterization.

ANTH 1050-090 Fall 2025 Exam 2

Do the following traits/ behaviors best characterize humans, chimps, or both? Males can potentially father many more offspring than females can mother [ Select ] Humans Chimps Both

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