Differences in maturity age can lead to skewed sex ratios on spawning grounds; if one sex matures later, fewer individuals survive the return migration. 4. Human Development and Invariance
Males often mature at much younger ages and smaller sizes than females. sex matures
Sexual maturation is a critical life-history trait with major fitness consequences. Differences in maturity age can lead to skewed
: Environmental factors like prey availability, water temperature, and energy allocation are primary drivers of when an individual matures. if one sex matures later
: While biological maturation differs, studies on cognitive abilities often show "invariance," meaning the underlying structure of mental abilities matures similarly across both sexes.
: Many marine species change sex during their lifetime.