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| 3. |
- Ah-King, Malin, et al.
(author)
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A conceptual review of mate choice : stochastic demography, within-sex phenotypic plasticity, and individual flexibility
- 2016
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In: Ecology and Evolution. - : Wiley. - 2045-7758. ; 6:14, s. 4607-4642
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mate choice hypotheses usually focus on trait variation of chosen individuals. Recently, mate choice studies have increasingly attended to the environmental circumstances affecting variation in choosers' behavior and choosers' traits. We reviewed the literature on phenotypic plasticity in mate choice with the goal of exploring whether phenotypic plasticity can be interpreted as individual flexibility in the context of the switch point theorem, SPT (Gowaty and Hubbell ). We found >3000 studies; 198 were empirical studies of within-sex phenotypic plasticity, and sixteen showed no evidence of mate choice plasticity. Most studies reported changes from choosy to indiscriminate behavior of subjects. Investigators attributed changes to one or more causes including operational sex ratio, adult sex ratio, potential reproductive rate, predation risk, disease risk, chooser's mating experience, chooser's age, chooser's condition, or chooser's resources. The studies together indicate that choosiness of potential mates is environmentally and socially labile, that is, induced - not fixed - in the choosy sex with results consistent with choosers' intrinsic characteristics or their ecological circumstances mattering more to mate choice than the traits of potential mates. We show that plasticity-associated variables factor into the simpler SPT variables. We propose that it is time to complete the move from questions about within-sex plasticity in the choosy sex to between- and within-individual flexibility in reproductive decision-making of both sexes simultaneously. Currently, unanswered empirical questions are about the force of alternative constraints and opportunities as inducers of individual flexibility in reproductive decision-making, and the ecological, social, and developmental sources of similarities and differences between individuals. To make progress, we need studies (1) of simultaneous and symmetric attention to individual mate preferences and subsequent behavior in both sexes, (2) controlled for within-individual variation in choice behavior as demography changes, and which (3) report effects on fitness from movement of individual's switch points.
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| 5. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-
(author)
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Biologins paradox : föränderliga kön och rigida normer
- 2011
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In: Lambda Nordica. - 1100-2573 .- 2001-7286. ; :4, s. 26-52
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is an enormous variation in sex and sexuality among animals. How has this diversity been explained by evolutionary theory? Evolutionary theory regarding sex differences has focused on males and their characteristics and despite theoretical development away from stereotypic notions of females and males, some gender bias remains, both in theory and empirical studies. Heteronormativity is abundant in evolutionary biology. Even though same-sex sexual behaviour has been described in more than one thousand species, the focus on reproduction, which is the basis for evolutionary theory, has long hindered the insight of how widespread it is. Biological arguments for what is natural are abounding in society, and this review of variation in biological sex challenges stereotypic notions of what femaleness and maleness mean. Finally, I discuss how we can aim for a non-normative evolutionary biology.
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| 7. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-
(author)
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Flexible Mate Choice
- 2019. - 2
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In: Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior. - : Elsevier. - 9780128132524 ; , s. 421-431
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Traditionally, investigators and theorists have supposed that mate choice is directional and fixed within a species as well as static within individuals over time. Lately, accumulating evidence shows that mate choice is often flexible, so that individuals change their behavior, depending on the social or ecological situation they experience or their condition. Recent theory proposes that animals should change their mate choice adaptively moment by moment in response to changes in environmental, internal, and social factors. Mate choice plasticity should be explored more in empirical studies as well as its implications for mate choice evolution and sexual selection.
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| 8. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-
(author)
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Flexible mate choice
- 2010
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In: Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior. - : Elsevier.
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 10. |
- Ah-King, Malin, et al.
(author)
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Genital Evolution : Why Are Females Still Understudied?
- 2014
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In: PLoS biology. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1544-9173 .- 1545-7885. ; 12:5, s. e1001851-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The diversity, variability, and apparent rapid evolution of animal genitalia are a vivid focus of research in evolutionary biology, and studies exploring genitalia have dramatically increased over the past decade. These studies, however, exhibit a strong male bias, which has worsened since 2000, despite the fact that this bias has been explicitly pointed out in the past. Early critics argued that previous investigators too often considered only males and their genitalia, while overlooking female genitalia or physiology. Our analysis of the literature shows that overall this male bias has worsened with time. The degree of bias is not consistent between subdisciplines: studies of the lock-and-key hypothesis have been the most male focused, while studies of cryptic female choice usually consider both sexes. The degree of bias also differed across taxonomic groups, but did not associate with the ease of study of male and female genital characteristics. We argue that the persisting male bias in this field cannot solely be explained by anatomical sex differences influencing accessibility. Rather the bias reflects enduring assumptions about the dominant role of males in sex, and invariant female genitalia. New research highlights how rapidly female genital traits can evolve, and how complex coevolutionary dynamics between males and females can shape genital structures. We argue that understanding genital evolution is hampered by an outdated single-sex bias.
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- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Phylogenetic analysis of twinning in Callitrichinae
- 2000
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In: American Journal of Primatology. - 0275-2565 .- 1098-2345. ; 51:2, s. 135-146
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The callitrichines are known for twinning and for a communal rearingsystem in which all or most group members help care for the offspring.The origin of twinning has been the subject of much speculation. In thisstudy predictions from earlier hypotheses are tested on the basis of twoalternative phylogenetic trees. From this analysis we infer that helpingbehavior and male care preceded the origin of twinning, and that thesetraits did not coevolve with, but might have been important prerequisitesfor twinning in callitrichines. Small body size does not necessarilyresult in twinning, although it might still have been a prerequisite forits evolution. Gum feeding was an ecological change which evolved alongwith twinning. If nutrition was a limiting factor in the number of offspringproduced, then the use of a new feeding resource could have beencrucial for the origin of twinning in callitrichines. According to one of thetwo alternative solutions inferred by the total evidence tree, and in accordancewith the morphological tree, semi-annual breeding appears inthe marmosets together with specialization in gum feeding. The fact thatgums are available for these monkeys all year may have facilitated semiannualbreeding. We suggest that the exploitation of gums as a feedingresource could have been the decisive factor in the increase of the reproductiverate by twinning and by semi-annual breeding.
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| 16. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Problemet med "könsroller" kvarstår
- 2013
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In: Tidskrift för Genusvetenskap. - 1654-5443 .- 2001-1377. ; :1, s. 136-137
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-
(author)
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Queering animal sexual behavior in biology textbooks
- 2013
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In: Confero. - : Linkoping University Electronic Press. - 2001-4562. ; 1:2, s. 46-89
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biology is instrumental in establishing and perpetuating societal norms of gender and sexuality, owing to its afforded authoritative role in formulating beliefs about what is “natural”. However, philosophers, historians, and sociologists of science have shown how conceptions of gender and sexuality pervade the supposedly objective knowledge produced by the natural sciences. For example, in describing animal relationships, biologists sometimes use the metaphor of marriage, which brings with it conceptions of both cuckoldry and male ownership of female partners. These conceptions have often led researchers to overlook female behavior and adaptations, such as female initiation of mating. Such social norms and ideologies influence both theories and research in biology. Social norms of gender and sexuality also influence school cultures. Although awareness of gender issues has had a major impact in Sweden during recent years, the interventions conducted have been based on a heteronormative understanding of sex; this has rendered sexual norms a non-prioritized issue and thereby rendered non-heterosexuals invisible in teaching and textbooks. Since this research was published in 2007 and 2009, norm critical pedagogics have been included in the Swedish National Agency for Education’s guidelines for teaching. This inclusion represents one way to tackle the recurring problem of heterosexuality being described as a naturalized “normal” behavior and homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals being described from a heteronormative perspective. In this paper, I employ gender and queer perspectives to scrutinize how animal sexual behavior is described and explained in Swedish biology textbooks. The analysis is based in gender and queer theory, feminist science studies, and evolutionary biology. The article begins with an outline a discussion of my theoretical framework, relating gender and queer perspectives on evolutionary biology to a discussion of queer methodology. I then scrutinize some empirical examples drawn from five contemporary biology textbooks used in secondary schools (by students aged 16-18 years old). Finally, I discuss the implications of the textbooks’ representations of animal sexual behavior, the problems of and need for a “textbook-version”, and providing examples of what an inclusive approach to biology education might look like.
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| 19. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-
(author)
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Queering biology teaching
- 2016
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In: Queering MINT. - : Verlag Barbara Budrich. - 9783847407669
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 20. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Sex in an Evolutionary Perspective : Just Another Reaction Norm
- 2010
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In: Evolutionary biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0071-3260 .- 1934-2845. ; 37:4, s. 234-246
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is common to refer to all sorts of clear-cut differences between the sexes as something that is biologically almost inevitable. Although this does not reflect the status of evolutionary theory on sex determination and sexual dimorphism, it is probably a common view among evolutionary biologists as well, because of the impact of sexual selection theory. To get away from thinking about biological sex and traits associated with a particular sex as something static, it should be recognized that in an evolutionary perspective sex can be viewed as a reaction norm, with sex attributes being phenotypically plastic. Sex determination itself is fundamentally plastic, even when it is termed “genetic”. The phenotypic expression of traits that are statistically associated with a particular sex always has a plastic component. This plasticity allows for much more variation in the expression of traits according to sex and more overlap between the sexes than is typically acknowledged. Here we review the variation and frequency of evolutionary changes in sex, sex determination and sex roles and conclude that sex in an evolutionary time-frame is extremely variable. We draw on recent findings in sex determination mechanisms, empirical findings of morphology and behaviour as well as genetic and developmental models to explore the concept of sex as a reaction norm. From this point of view, sexual differences are not expected to generally fall into neat, discrete, pre-determined classes. It is important to acknowledge this variability in order to increase objectivity in evolutionary research.
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| 21. |
- Ah-King, Malin
(author)
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Sexual selection revisited– towards a gender-neutral theory and practise : A Response to Vandermassen’s Sexual Selection, A Tale of Male Bias and Feminist Denial
- 2007
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In: The European Journal of Women's Studies. - : SAGE Publications. - 1350-5068 .- 1461-7420. ; 14:4, s. 341-348
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In a recent issue of this journal, Vandermassen suggested that feminists should include sexual selection theory and evolutionary psychology in a unifying theory of human nature. In response, this article aims to offer some insight into the development of sexual selection theory, to caution against Vandermassen’s unreserved assimilation and to promote the opposite ongoing integration – an inclusion of gender perspectives into evolutionary biology. In society today, opinions about maintaining traditional sex roles are often put forward on the basis of what is natural and how animals behave. However, the natural sciences have proved to be pervaded by gendered values and interests; Darwin’s theory of sexual selection has been criticized for being male biased, and partly due to the unwillingness of Darwin’s scientific contemporaries to accept female choice, research has been overwhelmingly focused on males. More recently, theory has become less gender biased and research has come to include a large variety of issues not present in the first version of the theory. However, there is a need to increase the awareness of gender bias in order to develop a gender-neutral evolutionary biology.
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| 22. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-
(author)
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The Female Turn : How Evolutionary Science Shifted Perceptions About Females
- 2022
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Book (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This book traces the history of how evolutionary biology transformed its understanding of females from being coy, reserved and sexually passive, to having active sexual strategies and often mating with multiple males. Why did it take so long to discover female active sexual strategies? What prevented some researchers from engaging in sexually active females, and what prompted others to develop this new knowledge?The Female Turn provides a global overview of shifting perceptions about females in sexual selection research on a wide range of animals, from invertebrates to primates. Evolutionary biologist and feminist science scholar Malin Ah-King explores this history from a unique interdisciplinary vantage point. Based on extensive knowledge of the scientific literature on sexual selection and in-depth interviews with leading researchers, pioneers and feminist scientists in the field, her analysis engages with key theoretical approaches in gender studies of science. Analyzing the researchers’ scientific interests, theoretical frameworks, specific study animals, technological innovations, methodologies and sometimes feminist insights, reveals how these have shaped conclusions drawn about sex. Thereby, The Female Turn shows how certain researchers gained knowledge about active females whereas others missed, ignored or delayed it – that is, how ignorance was produced.
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| 23. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-
(author)
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The history of sexual selection research provides insights as to why females are still understudied
- 2022
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- While it is widely acknowledged that Darwin’s descriptions of females were gender-biased, gender bias in current sexual selection research is less recognized. An examination of the history of sexual selection research shows prevalent male precedence—that research starts with male-centered investigations or explanations and thereafter includes female-centered equivalents. In comparison, the incidence of female precedence is low. Furthermore, a comparison between the volume of publications focusing on sexual selection in males versus in females shows that the former far outnumber the latter. This bias is not only a historical pattern; sexual selection theory and research are still male-centered—due to conspicuous traits, practical obstacles, and continued gender bias. Even the way sexual selection is commonly defined contributes to this bias. This history provides an illustrative example by which we can learn to recognize biases and identify gaps in knowledge. I conclude with a call for the scientific community to interrogate its own biases and suggest strategies for alleviating biases in this field and beyond.
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| 24. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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The influence of territoriality and mating system for the evolution of male care, a phylogenetic study on fish
- 2005
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In: Journal of Evolutionary Biology. - 1010-061X .- 1420-9101.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Evolution of male care is still poorly understood. Using phylogeneticallymatched-pairs comparisons we tested for effects of territoriality and matingsystem on male care evolution in fish. All origins of male care were found inpair-spawning species (with or without additional males such as sneakers) andnone were found in group-spawning species. However, excluding groupspawners, male care originated equally often in pair-spawning species withadditional males as in strict pair-spawning species. Evolution of male care wasalso significantly related to territoriality. Yet, most pair-spawning taxa withmale care are also territorial, making their relative influence difficult toseparate. Furthermore, territoriality also occurs in group-spawning species.Hence, territoriality is not sufficient for male care to evolve. Rather, we arguethat it is the combination of territoriality and pair spawning with sequentialpolygyny that favours the evolution of male care, and we discuss our results inrelation to paternity assurance and sexual selection.
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| 25. |
- Ah-King, Malin, et al.
(author)
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The "Sex Role" Concept : An Overview and Evaluation
- 2013
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In: Evolutionary biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0071-3260 .- 1934-2845. ; 40:4, s. 461-470
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- "Sex roles" are intuitively associated to stereotypic female and male sexual strategies and in biology, the term "sex role" often relates to mating competition, mate choice or parental care. "Sex role reversals" imply that the usual typological pattern for a population or species is deviates from a norm, and the meaning of "sex role reversal" thus varies depending upon whatever is the usual pattern of sex-typical behavior in a given taxon. We identify several problems with the current use of the "sex role" concept. (1) It is typological and reflects stereotypic expectations of the sexes. (2) The term "sex role" parses continuous variation into only two categories, often obscuring overlap, between the sexes in behavior and morphology, and variability in relation to ecological circumstances. (3) Common generalizations such as "sex role as seen in nature" mask variation upon which selection may act. (4) The general meaning of "sex roles" in society (i.e. "socially and culturally defined prescriptions and beliefs about the behavior and emotions of men and women") is contrary to biological "sex role" concepts, so that confusing the two obscure science communication in society. We end by questioning the validity of the "sex role" concept in evolutionary biology and recommend replacing the term "sex role" with operational descriptions.
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| 26. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Toxic Sexes : Perverting Pollution and Queering Hormone Disruption
- 2019
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In: Technosphere magazine. ; :March 20
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- What cultural nerves are triggered by the mutations of sexed biologies associated with artificially produced hormones? Evolutionary biologist and gender studies scholar Malin Ah-King and gender studies scholar Eva Hayward question the essentialist and heteronormative assumptions that frame contemporary discourses on the toxicity of endocrine disruptors.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Ah-King, Malin, 1973-
(author)
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Toy story : En vetenskaplig kritik av forskningom apors leksakspreferenser
- 2009
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In: Tidskrift för genusvetenskap. - 1654-5443. ; :1, s. 45-63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biological sex differences have long been used as argumentsjustifying male dominance and sexist oppression. Animal studies ofsex differences are used to claim that human sex roles have a longevolutionary history. For example, in a study of toy preferences invervet monkeys, the authors conclude that sex-differentiatedobject preferences arose early in human evolution. In this paper Iscrutinize the study and reveal that both the hypotheses, theperformed preference tests and the conclusions drawn are flawed.In the study, the authors hypothesise that male vervets shouldprefer a ball and a car based on the human hunter-gathererhypothesis. Men are suggested to be selected for navigatingabilities useful for hunting and women for nurturing babies. Thishypothesis is then transferred to vervets which is a tree-livingspecies, subsisting of a mainly vegetarian diet, where skills such asnavigating in space ought to be necessary for survival - in bothmales and females. Furthermore, the presentation of toys isconducted in groups, individual interactions with a toy is taken as apreference for the sex of that individual. Therefore it is impossibleto derive individual preferences from these tests. Vervets arematrilinear with females sometimes being dominant to males. Froman animal behaviour framework, I would interpret the preferencesas an interaction between individuals. Perhaps low-rankedindividuals approach new objects first, as they may be dangerous.The results are interpreted and presented with graphs and picturesin order to tell the convincing story about sex differences in toypreference that the authors wanted to find, but there is no support tfor these conclusions.Hence, from the evidence presented in this study, we cannotconclude that human sex-differentiated toy preferences date morethan 23 million years back in time.
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| 34. |
- Powell, Stina, et al.
(author)
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‘Are we to become a gender university?’ Facets of resistance to a gender equality project
- 2018
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In: Gender, Work and Organization. - : Blackwell Publishing Ltd. - 0968-6673 .- 1468-0432. ; 25:2, s. 127-143
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gender equality (GE) is something ‘we cannot not want’. Indeed, the pursuit of equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all women and men throughout a society freed from gendered oppression is widely visible in recent organizational GE initiatives. In practice, however, GE initiatives often fail in challenging gendered norms and at effecting deep-seated change. In fact, GE measures tend to encounter resistance, with a gap between saying and doing. Using a GE project at a Swedish university, we examined the changing nature of reactions to GE objectives seeking to understand why gender inequality persists in academia. We used ‘resistance’ to identify multiple, complex reactions to the project, focusing on the discursive practices of GE. Focusing our contextual analysis on change and changes in reactions enabled a process-oriented analysis that revealed gaps where change is possible. Thus, we argue that studying change makes it possible to identify points in time where gendered discriminatory norms are more likely to occur. However, analysing discursive practices does not itself lead to change nor to action. Rather, demands for change must start with answering, in a collaborative way, what problem we are trying to solve when we start a new GE project, in order to be relevant to the specific context. Otherwise, GE risks being the captive of consensus politics and gender inequality will persist.
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| 35. |
- Powell, Stina, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Integrating gender perspectives on teaching and subject content at a natural science university in Sweden
- 2013
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In: International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology. - 2040-0748. ; 5:1, s. 52-61
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article describes an action research project aiming at integrating gender and norm critical perspectives into teaching and subject content at a predominantly natural science university in Sweden. At this university there is an uneven gender balance of students in the education programs. This is perceived by students and teachers as problematic. But rather than initiating activities aiming at a 50-50% distribution of the sexes represented in the classroom, this specific project focused on increasing awareness of gender and norm critical perspectives on teaching in order to ameliorate the study environment. University teachers were the main target for the intervention. The project was conducted by 1) investigating teachers' and students' experiences, attitudes and needs related to gender equality in education, 2) grounding the project in the existing university structure, 3) performing interventions, i.e. holding courses 4) evaluating outcomes and enabling visions for future continuation and 5) presenting outcomes and visions to responsible committees at the University. This project shows that it is possible to integrate gender and norm critical perspectives on teaching and subject content into natural science education. The article discusses and critically reflects on the implementation process of the project and its strengths and challenges.
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| 36. |
- Tullberg, Birgitta S., et al.
(author)
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Phylogenetic reconstruction of the parental-care system in the ancestors of birds
- 2002
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In: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences. - 0962-8436 .- 1471-2970. ; 357, s. 251-257
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Due to the controversy surrounding incipient avian parental care, ancestral parental care systems werereconstructed in a phylogeny including major extant amniote lineages. Using two different resolutions forthe basal avian branches, transitions between the states no care, female care, biparental care and malecare were inferred for the most basal branches of the tree. Uniparental female care was inferred for thelineage to birds and crocodiles. Using a phylogeny where ratites and tinamous branch off early and anordered character-state assumption, a transition to biparental care was inferred for the ancestor of birds.This ancestor could be any organism along the lineage leading from the crocodile–bird split up to modernbirds, not necessarily the original bird. We discuss the support for alternative avian phylogenies and thehomology in parental care between crocodiles and birds. We suggest that the phylogenetic pattern shouldbe used as a starting point for a more detailed analysis of parental care systems in birds and their relatives.
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