古人類學家估計單配偶制的演化時序建基於從化石記錄發現的兩性異型。一般而言,單配偶動物交配時,兩雄為爭取與雌性交配所發生爭鬥頻率減低,雙雙導致兩性異型出現的減少。[16] 雲路和他人(Reno et al.)的研究指,從牙齒和顱後形貌發現,生活在390萬至300萬年前的人類祖先阿法南方古猿和人類的兩性異型相約。[17][13]研究員雖然沒有特別指出原始人類是單配偶動物,卻提出在古猿中的兩性異型的程度相對減低「不代表(古猿)奉行單配偶制的機會比一夫多妻制低」。[13] 但另一個由哥頓、格連和烈治文(Gordon, Green and Richmond)研究古猿的顱後時發現,古猿的兩性異型比人類和黑猩猩高,與紅毛猩猩和大猩猩相約。[14]
Plough agriculture. The castle in the background is Lusignan. Detail from the calendar Les très riches heures from the 15th century. This is a detail from the painting for March.
^ 1.01.11.21.3Low B.S. (2003) Ecological and social complexities in human monogamy. Monogamy: Mating Strategies and Partnerships in Birds, Humans and Other Mammals:161–176.
^Ethnographic Atlas Codebook (页面存档备份,存于互联网档案馆) derived from George P. Murdock’s Ethnographic Atlas recording the marital composition of 1231 societies from 1960 to 1980
^Fox, Robin. Reproduction & Succession: Studies in Anthropology, Law and Society. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers. 1997: 34.
^Divale, W. (2000). Pre-Coded Variables for the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample, Volume I and II. Jamaica, NY: York College, CUNY. Distributed by World Cultures at http://worldcultures.org/SCCS1.pdf (页面存档备份,存于互联网档案馆). See Variable 170 and Variable 171.
^Isiugo-Abanihe, U.C. Extramarital relations and perceptions of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Health Transition Review. 1994, 4 (2): 111–125. PMID 10150513.
^Ladebo, O.J., Tanimowo, A.G. Extension personnel's sexual behaviour and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS in South-Western Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health. 2002, 6 (2): 51–9. JSTOR 3583130. PMID 12476716. doi:10.2307/3583130.
^津巴布韋 衛生和兒童福利部 國家愛滋病局 及 美國疾病控制與預防中心 The MEASURE Project (疾控中心/津巴布韋)。 AIDS in Africa During the Nineties: Zimbabwe. A review and analysis of survey and research results. Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2002.
^Murdock GP (1981) Atlas of world cultures. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh.
^Moller AP (2003) The evolution of monogamy: mating relationships, parental care and sexual selection. Monogamy: Mating Strategies and Partnerships in Birds, Humans and Other Mammals:29–41.
^ 17.017.1Ash P, Robinson D (2010) The emergence of humans: an exploration of the evolutionary timeline. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex, UK ;Hoboken, NJ.