Publications [#240837] of Charles L Nunn

Journal Articles

1. Nunn, CL; Gittleman, JL; Antonovics, J, Promiscuity and the primate immune system., Science (New York, N.Y.), vol. 290 no. 5494 (November, 2000), pp. 1168-1170, ISSN 0036-8075 [doi]
   (last updated on 2025/06/15)

   Abstract:
   The behavioral and ecological factors involved in immune system evolution remain poorly explored. We present a phylogenetic analysis of white blood cell counts in primates to test three hypotheses related to disease risk: increases in risk are expected with group size or population density, exposure to soil-borne pathogens, and mating promiscuity. White blood cell counts were significantly greater in species where females have more mating partners, indicating that the risk of sexually transmitted disease is likely to be a major factor leading to systematic differences in the primate immune system.

   Keywords:
   Animals • Animals, Zoo • Biological Evolution • Body Weight • Female • Haplorhini • Immune System • Leukocyte Count* • Male • Population Density • Primate Diseases • Risk Factors • Sexual Behavior, Animal* • Sexually Transmitted Diseases • Species Specificity • blood • epidemiology • immunology • immunology* • physiology* • veterinary