Sensory exploitation, sexual dimorphism, and human voice pitch

David R. Feinberg*, Benedict C. Jones, Marie M. Armstrong

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)
40 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Selection for low male voice pitch is generally assumed to occur because it is a valid cue of formidability. Here we summarize recent empirical challenges to this hypothesis. We also outline an alternative account in which selection for low male voice pitch is a byproduct of sensory exploitation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)901-903
Number of pages3
JournalTrends in Ecology and Evolution
Volume33
Issue number12
Early online date1 Oct 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2018

Funding

This research was funded by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI) to D.R.F. and the European Research Council (ERC) to B.C.J. The authors also thank Mike Ryan and Lisa DeBruine for their feedback on drafts of this Forum.

Keywords

  • honest signaling
  • sensory bias
  • vocal communication

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sensory exploitation, sexual dimorphism, and human voice pitch'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this