Nature's Sexual Spectrum

Josh L. Davis

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English

CSIRO Publishing
01 July 2024

Mathematics & Sciences; Impact of science & technology on society; Popular science; Applied ecology; Biodiversity; Wildlife: general interest

Nature's Sexual Spectrum is a celebration of the astonishing diversity of sexual behaviour, biology and reproduction found in nature. From penguins to primates, same-sex behaviours and courtship are more widespread in the natural world than many people realize, while how nature organizes sex is not always as straightforward as usually thought.

Davis considers how, in many different organisms – both animals and plants – sexual reproduction and determination rely on a surprisingly complex interaction between genes, hormones, environment and chance. We meet turtles whose sex is determined by the incubation temperature of their eggs and butterflies that embody male and female biological tissue in the same organism. He also reveals animal and plant behaviours in nature that have previously either been covered up or explained away, and presents animal behaviours that challenge us to rethink our assumptions and prejudices.

By: Josh L. Davis
Imprint: CSIRO Publishing
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 190mm, Width: 170mm, Spine: 9mm
Weight: 268g
ISBN: 9781486318926
ISBN 10: 1486318924
Pages: 128
Publication Date: 01 July 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction Adelie penguin: Homosexual couples Mangrove killifish: Reproducing with itself Duck-billed dinosaur: Bias in names New Mexico whiptail lizard: Parthenogenesis Morpho butterfly: Divided down the middle Western lowland gorilla: Queer behaviour in apes Domestic sheep: Can animals be gay? Saharan cypress: Androgenesis Bicolour parrotfish: Sex-fluid fishes Swans: Males couples as parents Green sea turtle: Temperature-dependent sex determination Giraffe: Homosexuality in the mainstream Common ash: Sexual spectrum Common cockchafer: Historical homosexuality European yew: Sex change European eel: Environment-dependent sex determination White-throated sparrow: Beyond the binary Spotted hyena: Female-led societies Western gull: Lesbian mothers Common bottlenose dolphin: Explaining the gay away Common pill woodlouse: Bacteria-dependent sex determination Bluegill sunfish: Do animals have gender? Common pheasant: Out-sized influence Splitgill mushroom: Thousands of sexes Chinese shell ginger: Temporal sex Cane toad: Intersex animals Moss mites: Ancient asexuals Dungowan bush tomato: Changeable sex Barklice: Sex-reversed genitals Index Further reading References Picture credits

Josh L. Davis is a science writer for the Natural History Museum, London, with a background in biology and conservation. As a freelance science writer, he has been published by outlets such as The Observer, The Guardian and The Times.

Reviews for Nature's Sexual Spectrum

""Definitely a book for this current age […] a good, interesting, quick and quirky read."" -- Suzanne Mather * Western Australian Bird Notes No. 191 *