Tibetan Fraternal Polyandry: A Test of Sociobiological Theory

In: American anthropologist: AA, Band 83, Heft 1, S. 5-12

Abstract

This paper tests sociobiological hypotheses regarding the way practitioners of fraternal polyandry in a Tibetan population in Nepal may enhance their inclusive fitness. Demographic data demonstrate higher mortality and lower survivorship of offspring in fraternal polyandry than monogamy. Moreover, the probability of allele transmission for an ego is lower in fraternal polyandrous unions than in monogamous unions. On the basis of the measured parameters, Tibetan fraternal polyandry does not appear to enhance the fitness of individuals who practice it and, in fact, seems to entail substantial reproductive sacrifice. [sociobiology, fraternal polyandry, inclusive fitness, demography, Tibet]