Nature's Sexual Spectrum

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Nature's Sexual Spectrum is a celebration of the astonishing diversity of sexual behaviour, biology and reproduction found in nature. From penguins to primates, same-sex behaviours and courtship are more widespread in the natural world than many people realize, while how nature organizes sex is not always as straightforward as usually thought. Davis considers how, in many different organisms both animals and plants sexual reproduction and determination rely on a surprisingly complex interaction between genes, hormones, environment and chance. We meet turtles whose sex is determined by the incubation temperature of their eggs and butterflies that embody male and female biological tissue in the same organism. He also reveals animal and plant behaviours in nature that have previously either been covered up or explained away, and presents animal behaviours that challenge us to rethink our assumptions and prejudices.

Reviews

"Definitely a book for this current age [] a good, interesting, quick and quirky read." -- Suzanne Mather * Western Australian Bird Notes No. 191 *

Author Bio

Josh L. Davis is a science writer for the Natural History Museum, London, with a background in biology and conservation. As a freelance science writer, he has been published by outlets such as The Observer, The Guardian and The Times.