Competition between men drove evolution of deep voices, researchers say
Competition between men drove evolution of deep voices, researchers say
Posted Tue at 10:22pm
Deep, booming male voices among primates, including humans, may have evolved more to intimidate rivals than to attract females, a multinational team of researchers says.
In a paper published in the Proceedings of the Royal Academy Sciences B, the team said deep voices were more likely when primate species were polygynous (a male having many partners), not monogamous, and thus males were competing more intensely for mates.
The team said that as males evolved to become more monogamous, there was less difference between male and female voices.
"If you look at what men's traits are designed for, they look much better designed for intimidating other males than for attracting females," said lead researcher Dr David Puts of Pennsylvania State University.
More:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-27/deep-male-voices-linked-to-male-voices-sexual-selection/7362908
