cover of episode Revisited: the endless sexual diversity of nature

Revisited: the endless sexual diversity of nature

2024/12/26
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Ian Sample
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Josh Davis
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@Ian Sample : 探讨了动物同性性行为的普遍性及其在科学研究中的低报现象。指出2024年的一项研究表明,尽管科学家们广泛观察到灵长类和其他哺乳动物的同性性行为,但很少发表相关研究。 节目还回顾了历史案例,例如乔治·默里·莱维克在南极探险中观察到阿德利企鹅的同性性行为,但其研究成果中关于同性性行为的部分被删除。 节目讨论了这种低报现象的原因,包括早期研究人员对发表此类研究的恐惧以及当前期刊发表模式的限制。 节目还探讨了同性性行为在动物界中的多样性,以及对动物性行为研究中人类中心主义视角的批判。 @Josh Davis : 作为伦敦自然历史博物馆的科学作家,他撰写了《小小同性恋自然史》一书,旨在展示动物界性行为的多样性。他详细介绍了历史上对动物同性性行为研究的偏见,例如对金龟子同性性行为的早期研究中,科学家试图用“监狱假说”等解释来解释这种行为,并将其与人类性行为联系起来。 他还指出,即使在20世纪80年代,也存在将动物同性性行为与道德标准下降联系起来的论文。 他列举了海豚、黑天鹅等物种的同性性行为案例,并指出同性性行为的目的不仅仅是繁殖,还包括社会联系、压力释放和纯粹的快乐。 他还讨论了对家羊的研究,以及如何避免在研究中使用人类中心主义的视角。 最后,他谈到了在社交媒体上遇到的批评,以及对动物同性性行为观点的转变。他强调,自然界中性行为的多样性远超人们的想象,人类应该从自然界的多样性中学习。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why do animal scientists often observe but seldom publish about same-sex sexual behaviour in animals?

There are multiple reasons for this underreporting. Historically, early career researchers feared being associated with these behaviors, leading to professional repercussions. More recently, the publishing model in scientific journals has shifted, making it less likely to publish short observational studies. Additionally, moral and cultural biases have influenced the way these behaviors are perceived and reported.

Why did George Murray Levick write his observations of Adelie penguin sexual behavior in a Greek cipher?

Levick used a Greek cipher to obscure his observations of penguin sexual behaviors, including forced copulation, necrophilia, and homosexual acts, to prevent prying eyes from reading and possibly being disturbed or scandalized by the content.

How common is same-sex sexual behavior in the animal kingdom?

Same-sex sexual behavior has been officially recorded in about 1,500 species, spanning the entire tree of life from orb-weaved spiders to Western gorillas. This figure is likely a gross underestimate, as the behavior is observed across various branches of the evolutionary tree.

What is an early example of same-sex sexual behavior observed in animals?

One of the earliest recorded examples is from 1834, when researchers discovered two male cockchafer beetles engaging in same-sex sexual activity. This led to a heated debate among entomologists and was documented in a drawing by August Kelch in 1896.

What are some advantages of same-sex behaviors in animals?

Same-sex behaviors can serve various purposes beyond reproduction. For example, in bonobos, these behaviors promote social cohesion, stress relief, and social bonding. In black swans, male-male pairs maintain larger territories and successfully raise more chicks compared to male-female pairs.

How has the perception of same-sex behavior in animals changed over time?

Historically, same-sex behavior in animals was often seen as unnatural or morally wrong. However, as more studies have emerged, the understanding has shifted. Now, it is recognized that these behaviors can serve multiple roles such as social bonding, stress relief, and even pleasure, challenging the Darwinian paradox that sex is solely for reproduction.

What is the significance of the case of the 'lesbian seagulls' in the 1970s?

The case of the 'lesbian seagulls' in the 1970s, where female seagulls were observed forming pairs and raising larger clutches of eggs, became a significant point of controversy. It landed in the middle of the queer revolution in the US and was used in political debates about the nature of homosexuality, particularly by those arguing that it was unnatural.

Why do some people argue against the relevance of same-sex behavior in animals to human sexuality?

Some people argue against the relevance of same-sex behavior in animals to human sexuality by invoking the naturalistic fallacy, which states that just because a behavior occurs in nature, it doesn't mean it should be practiced by humans. They often cite other natural behaviors like cannibalism or infanticide to support this argument.

What is the key takeaway from Josh Davis's research on sexual diversity in nature?

The key takeaway from Josh Davis's research is that nature is endlessly diverse and that there are few hard and fast rules. This diversity challenges traditional views and highlights the complexity and variety of sexual behaviors across the animal kingdom, suggesting that anything goes in nature.

Chapters
A recent study revealed that scientists frequently observe same-sex sexual behavior in animals but rarely publish it. This underreporting may be attributed to historical fears of association with such behaviors, particularly among early-career researchers. Additionally, current journal publishing models tend to favor longer studies over short observational studies, which same-sex behaviors may fall under.
  • Underreporting of same-sex animal behavior in scientific literature
  • Historical fears of association with the topic among researchers
  • Current journal publishing models favoring longer studies over short observational ones

Shownotes Transcript

In this episode from July, Ian Sample talks to Josh Davis, a science writer at the Natural History Museum in London and author of the book A Little Gay Natural History. A study published in June 2024 suggested that, although animal scientists widely observe same-sex sexual behaviour in primates and other mammals, they seldom publish about it. Josh considers why this might be and describes some of his favourite examples of sexual diversity from the animal kingdom.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod