Evolutionary ecology of human life history

The human life history is characterized by several unusual features, includ ing large babies, late puberty and menopause, and the fact that there is a strong cultural influence on reproductive decisions throughout life. In thi s review I examine human life history from an evolutionary ecological persp ective. I first review the evidence for life history trade-offs between fer tility and mortality in humans. Patterns of growth, fertility and mortality across the life span are then discussed and illustrated with data from a t raditional Gambian population. After outlining the stages of the human life course, I discuss two phenomena of particular interest in evolutionary ant hropology, both of which are apparently unique to humans and neither yet fu lly understood. First, I discuss the evolution of menopause, the curtailing of female reproduction long before death. The evidence that this evolved b ecause investment in existing children's future reproductive success is mor e important than continuing child bearing into old age is reviewed, along w ith data relating to the biological constraints that may be operating. Seco nd, I discuss the demographic transition. Declining fertility at a time of increasingly abundant resources represents a serious challenge to an evolut ionary view of human life history and behaviour, and is thus examined in de tail. Parental investment in children in competition with each other may be key to understanding both of these unusual human phenomena. a 2000 the Ass ociation for the Study of Animal Behaviour.