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The article is interesting to me in that it brings up, without actually saying it, the relation between sexual dimorphism (males being larger than females) and polygynous species(one male with more than one female). The correlation is almost absolute, the larger the male is in relation to the female the more females per reproducing male. Among sea lions there is no overlap in sizes, the male is HUGE, and has about a dozen females that his large bulk defends from other males. Among humans there is significant overlap in our sizes, but males are slightly larger; indicating that we are a slightly polygynous species (highly successful human males throughout history have had more than one female).

It is also interesting in that they mention human females cryptic ovulation (i.e. neither you nor they know precisely when they are ovulating and ready to be impregnated)and relate it to our sexual behavior. Only two species I have ever heard of have cryptic ovulation, the bonobo chimp and humans; and both species engage in recreational sex (i.e. WAY more often than needed for reproduction). Males of most species are simply not interested in sex unless there is a possibility for reproduction. A male that will refuse sex with a receptive female he has already inseminated will somehow find the energy to inseminate a new female (This is called the Coolidge effect, due to a funny story involving President Coolidge and his wife at a government chicken farm). Because women hide their time of ovulation, unlike most female mammals that let the entire neighborhood know, men are interested in sex at any time because any time MIGHT be an opportunity for reproduction; one simply never knows. This allows frequent (although not as frequent as most men would prefer) recreational sex to strengthen the pair bond, and ensures that males will stick close by their mates instead of only dropping in when they were receptive to reproduction.

The Coolidge Effect:

President Calvin Coolidge and his wife were touring a government chicken farm (not sure which of the enumerated powers in Article I section 8 covers the federal gov raising chickens, but there it is) and used their typical 'divide and conquer' strategy.

The farmer was quite embarrassed when a rooster made a loud production of mating with a hen. The first lady, nonplussed, asked him "How many times a day, would you say, does that rooster have his way with a hen?"

"About 20 times a day" the farmer replied.

"Be sure to point that out to the President" she told him.

So when President Coolidge came by the farmer said "See that Rooster Mr President? The first lady wanted me to tell you that rooster has his way with a hen about 20 times a day."

"Every time with the same hen?" Asked Cal.

"No, every time with a different hen." answered the farmer.

"Tell THAT to the First Lady." Cal quipped.

When Scientists studies the phenomenon, they dubbed it "the Coolidge Effect".

It is also interesting in that they mention human females cryptic ovulation (i.e. neither you nor they know precisely when they are ovulating and ready to be impregnated)and relate it to our sexual behavior.

Where did you come up with that? The article didn't say that the female didn't know, only that the male couldn't tell by female physiology. I hate to tell you, but saying that females can't/couldn't tell is a load of crap. True, some women are more tuned in than others. For females paying the least bit of attention there is nothing cryptic about it. The release of the ovum produces a twinge, akin to a small cramp. Hormone levels give the woman other clues.

The combination of babies large heads & being bipedal forces a female to be more selective about who and when. Saying no is necessary for survival. Recreational sex helps to keep the timing a mystery to males. Being receptive when outside of the fertile part of the cycle is a good strategy to help space children, while still keeping the male interested. A female breeding at every possible opportunity & then being left to her own devices is not going to help much, in bringing the next generation to breeding age. Birth to independence takes work. Smart, desirable females demand that males use their resources to help raise her children, including her children from a previous hook ups. Males have no way of *knowing* that the ones they are expected to help raise are their own, though they've come up with tons strategies to make their odds better. Even still, everyone looks for father's features in babies, to help quiet male doubts.

Among humans there is significant overlap in our sizes, but males are slightly larger; indicating that we are a slightly polygynous species (highly successful human males throughout history have had more than one female).

When you face the possibility of death by giving birth, you want to make sure the ones you have are "good" ones. Throughout history, plenty of highly successful males have been duped. The female will name the male that is most likely to help & many times, the highly successful are the best candidate. If a woman has sex with a bunch of men, who is going to be the one most likely to be named? Who would question that the most successful could possibly be less fertile or lucky than some other guy?