Fertility, Physique, and Intensity of Selection

Document Type

Article

Authors

Atam Vetta, University College, London

Abstract

A paper on Fertility and Physique by Damon and Thomas using data on Harvard undergraduates contains a number of statistical errors. Their conclusions that stature and weight are not significantly related to fertility can not, therefore, be relied upon. A reanalysis of the data shows that a parabolic curve gives a good fit to the fertility and weight data as well as to the fertility and height data. Intensities of natural selection for height and weight using Haldane’s formula are calculated.

Recommended Citation

Vetta, Atam (1975) "Fertility, Physique, and Intensity of Selection," Human Biology: Vol. 47: Iss. 3, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol47/iss3/7