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The second to fourth digit ratio, sociosexuality, and offspring sex ratio

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2005

Bernhard Fink ,
John T. Manning  and
Nick Neave
Bernhard Fink*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology, University of Goettingen, D-37073, Goettingen, Germanyhttp://evolution.anthro.univie.ac.at
John T. Manning*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, PrestonPR1 2HE, United Kingdom
Nick Neave*
Affiliation:
Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology and Sports Sciences, Newcastle upon TyneNE1 8ST, United Kingdom
*
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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Abstract:

Previous research has suggested that offspring sex ratio may be influenced by the actions of prenatal sex steroids, principally androgens. The relative length of the second (index finger) to the fourth digit (ring finger) has been reported to be a proxy to prenatal testosterone levels. This trait is sexually dimorphic, such that males display a significantly lower 2D:4D ratio (indicating higher testosterone exposure), and this dimorphism appears robust across different populations. We suggest that digit ratio (2D:4D) may form a useful marker to help explain variation in sex ratio and sociosexuality.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , April 2005 , pp. 283 - 284
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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