The pairing of same sex couples had previously been observed in more than 1,000 species including penguins, dolphins and primates.
However, in the latest study the authors claim the phenomenon is not only widespread but part of a necessary biological adaptation for the survival of the species.
They found that on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, almost a third of the Laysan albatross (large seabirds) population is raised by pairs of two females because of the shortage of males. Through these ‘lesbian’ unions, Laysan albatross are flourishing. Their existence had been dwindling before the adaptation was noticed.
Other species form same-sex bonds for other reasons, they found. Dolphins have been known engage in same-sex interactions to facilitate group bonding while male-male pairings in locusts killed off the weaker males.
A pair of “gay” penguins recently hatched an egg at a German zoo after being given the egg that had been rejected by its biological parents by keepers.
Writing in Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Dr. Nathan Bailey, an evolutionary biologist at California University, said previous studies have failed to consider the evolutionary consequences of homosexuality.
He said same homosexual behavior was often a product of natural selection to further the survival of the species.
Dr Bailey said: “It’s clear same-sex sexual behavior extends far beyond the well-known examples that dominate both the scientific and popular literature – for example, bonobos, dolphins, penguins and fruit flies.”
“Same-sex behaviors – courtship, mounting or parenting – are traits that may have been shaped by natural selection, a basic mechanism of evolution that occurs over successive generations,” he said.
“But our review of studies also suggests that these same-sex behaviors might act as selective forces in and of themselves.”
Original post:
Let Us Talk 
Um… that’s disturbing.
Comment by Zaeriuraschi 11098 — June 20, 2009 @ 9:35 pm |
LOL! Zaeriuraschi I think we (humans) should be more open minded and less judgmental of others.
Some folks believe that same-sex relationships are blasphemous and are one of the worst sins that can be committed against God.
How do we know that? Did God have a conversation with some human and tell that person His thoughts? Or are we presuming that gays are an abomination based on what some human wrote in diary during the Dark Ages?
Animals/Mammals are less smart that humans (we believe) but hey seem more accepting of each other. I think we can learn a thing or two from animals/mammals. 🙂
Humans should be more humane towards each other and find common ground with each other, the world would be a much kinder place.
Cheers!
Comment by Paulette — June 21, 2009 @ 12:04 am |
Thanks for a reminder from my father-in-law who would tell the story about two homosexual ducks living in their condo complex.
Comment by afrankangle — June 22, 2009 @ 8:31 am |
LOLLL! That is funny Frank!
Comment by Paulette — June 23, 2009 @ 2:21 pm |
Im not surprised. But I still think we try to oversimplify things when it comes to human behaviour. Even though I do believe a great deal of homosexuality is related to differences brain development, I also believe there are those who divert from their natural tendencies of attraction. This goes both ways, both heterosexuals behaving in homosexual manners or homosexual behaving in heterosexual manners for countless reasons including conforming to social patterns, trauma, or out of other fears or desires. This makes the discussion complicated when everyone wants to say it is EITHER nature OR nurture. What if its both and why arent we talking about that possibility more in depth?
Comment by Bodhi — August 10, 2009 @ 12:37 am |