Abstract
impact of family versus individual-level effects of mortality exposure on two central life-history parameters, ages at first marriage and first birth, in three historical human populations (Germany, Finland, Canada). Mortality experience is measured as the confrontation with sibling deaths within the natal family up to an individual's age of 15. Results show that the speed of life histories is not adjusted according to individual-level mortality experiences but is due to family-level effects. The general finding of lower ages at marriage/reproduction after exposure to higher mortality in the family holds for both females and males. This study provides evidence for the importance of the family environment for reproductive timing while individual-level mortality experiences seem to play only a minor role in reproductive life history decisions in humans.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e83633 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | PLoS One |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 8 Jan 2014 |
Keywords
- Life History Theory
- mortality exposure
- speed of life histories
- reproductive timing