Question

Assuming for the moment that the grandmother hypothesis of menopause is correct, speculate on what aspects of a species' behavior and sociality may make menopause likely to evolve.

a. Is it important whether or not the species is highly social, or whether or not the species lives in kin groups?

b. Might the age of independence of the young be important?

c. What is the likelihood of menopause evolution in:

1) orangutans, that live in small groups consisting of a female and her dependent young;

2) lions, in which females are very social and remain with their female kin for most of their lives; and

3) Arabian oryx, who live in small family groups in the desert, and must sometimes find distant waterholes known only to the older oryx.

Answer 1

Ans ) As per the grandmother hypothesis, it explains existence of menopause and women live well even past that so that they can help raise successive children precisely their grandchildren. It has an adaptive value which extends care and help in networking with successive kin generation. This suggests that grandmothers support to their kin by redirecting their energy to their offspring.

1. It is important that the species are highly social and live in the kin groups so that they are able to redirect their energy in adapting to taking care of the successive generation. If a grandmother is not social and does not have any successive kin, she does not have to redirect her energy into raising grandkids. Living in kin groups helps them to use their energy after menopause to raise their kids.
2. The age of independence of young is not important because despite someone being independent or not, the women in menopause will still help in raising and taking care of the successive generation.