© Press Association Scientists explored the evolutionary pathway that led to human monogamy by gathering data from 230 primate species
Infanticide was the key driving force that caused us to evolve into a monogamous species, it is claimed.
Males of some animals, including lions and brown bears, kill the young of unrelated females to improve mating opportunities.
The practice arises when females nursing slowly developing and vulnerable young are forced to delay further conception.
Monogamy both provides extra protection for the infant and, by sharing the burden of care, shortens the period of infant dependency.
Females are then able to reproduce more quickly, and can afford to have more costly young that mature slowly.
A long childhood appears to be necessary for growing a large brain, making monogamy distinctly advantageous to humans.
It could explain why, uniquely among primates, humans have both a very long childhood and mothers who reproduce quickly.
Scientists explored the evolutionary pathway that led to human monogamy by gathering data from 230 primate species.
The information was used to construct a family tree of inter-species relationships. Analysis of evolving traits revealed that male infanticide was the chief reason for the switch from a multi-male mating system to monogamy. The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Source: Press Association
Humans won't "kill the young of unrelated females to improve mating opportunities".
It's the psychopatic strategy, and monogamy in psychopatic world doesn't stop them either.
Above all, monogamy is a psychpatic tool to separate people who used to live in groups.