Cooperative breeding in wasps and vertebrates: the role of ecological constraints

2010 ◽  
pp. 347-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Jane Brockmann
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Breeding ◽  
Ecological Constraints

scholarly journals Experimental vacancies do not induce settlement despite habitat saturation in a cooperative breeder

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 20190757
Author(s):  
Lyanne Brouwer ◽  
Andrew Cockburn
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Cooperative Breeding ◽  
Ecological Constraints ◽  
Multiple Group ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Habitat Saturation ◽  
Crucial Test

The paradox of cooperative breeding, whereby individuals assist others instead of reproducing independently, is generally explained through ecological constraints, but experimental evidence is scant. Here we performed the crucial test of the role of habitat saturation through the experimental creation of vacancies and found that, despite abundant presence of potential mates, subordinates are reluctant to disperse into suitable vacant habitat where conspecifics are absent. We argue that sudden disappearance of multiple group members might indicate a heightened risk of predation. Thereby the results of this study are consistent with the ‘perceptual trap’ hypothesis: the avoidance of habitats because cues do not accurately reflect their quality. Interestingly, this hypothesis can also explain previous findings, which were widely interpreted as evidence for ecological constraints as a driver of cooperative breeding. Our results can have considerable implications for conservation as they mean that opportunities for colonization might go unexploited.

scholarly journals The genomic footprint of coastal earthquake uplift

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1930) ◽  
pp. 20200712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elahe Parvizi ◽  
Ceridwen I. Fraser ◽  
Ludovic Dutoit ◽  
Dave Craw ◽  
Jonathan M. Waters
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Biological Evolution ◽  
Habitat Choice ◽  
Natural Experiments ◽  
Ecological Constraints ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Genetic Patterns

Theory suggests that catastrophic earth-history events can drive rapid biological evolution, but empirical evidence for such processes is scarce. Destructive geological events such as earthquakes can represent large-scale natural experiments for inferring such evolutionary processes. We capitalized on a major prehistoric (800 yr BP) geological uplift event affecting a southern New Zealand coastline to test for the lasting genomic impacts of disturbance. Genome-wide analyses of three co-distributed keystone kelp taxa revealed that post-earthquake recolonization drove the evolution of novel, large-scale intertidal spatial genetic ‘sectors’ which are tightly linked to geological fault boundaries. Demographic simulations confirmed that, following widespread extirpation, parallel expansions into newly vacant habitats rapidly restructured genome-wide diversity. Interspecific differences in recolonization mode and tempo reflect differing ecological constraints relating to habitat choice and dispersal capacity among taxa. This study highlights the rapid and enduring evolutionary effects of catastrophic ecosystem disturbance and reveals the key role of range expansion in reshaping spatial genetic patterns.

scholarly journals Ecological and social constraints combine to promote evolution of non-breeding strategies in clownfish

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Branconi ◽  
Tina A. Barbasch ◽  
Robin K. Francis ◽  
Maya Srinivasan ◽  
Geoffrey P. Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Breeding ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
Social Constraints ◽  
Bargaining Theory ◽  
Breeding Strategies ◽  
Ecological Constraints ◽  
Amphiprion Percula ◽  
Outside Options ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Animal Societies

Abstract Individuals that forgo their own reproduction in animal societies represent an evolutionary paradox because it is not immediately apparent how natural selection can preserve the genes that underlie non-breeding strategies. Cooperative breeding theory provides a solution to the paradox: non-breeders benefit by helping relatives and/or inheriting breeding positions; non-breeders do not disperse to breed elsewhere because of ecological constraints. However, the question of why non-breeders do not contest to breed within their group has rarely been addressed. Here, we use a wild population of clownfish (Amphiprion percula), where non-breeders wait peacefully for years to inherit breeding positions, to show non-breeders will disperse when ecological constraints (risk of mortality during dispersal) are experimentally weakened. In addition, we show non-breeders will contest when social constraints (risk of eviction during contest) are experimentally relaxed. Our results show it is the combination of ecological and social constraints that promote the evolution of non-breeding strategies. The findings highlight parallels between, and potential for fruitful exchange between, cooperative breeding theory and economic bargaining theory: individuals will forgo their own reproduction and wait peacefully to inherit breeding positions (engage in cooperative options) when there are harsh ecological constraints (poor outside options) and harsh social constraints (poor inside options).

scholarly journals Care for kin: within-group relatedness and allomaternal care are positively correlated and conserved throughout the mammalian phylogeny

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Briga ◽  
Ido Pen ◽  
Jonathan Wright
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Breeding ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Molecular Tools ◽  
Social Unit ◽  
Phylogenetic Clustering ◽  
Allomaternal Care ◽  
Average Group

With an increasing amount of data becoming available, comparative analyses have called attention to the associations between cooperative breeding, monogamy and relatedness. We focus here upon the association between allomaternal care and relatedness among females within a social unit. Previous studies found a positive association, but such results date back to before molecular tools were in common use, they considered only a few mammalian orders, neglected phylogenetic clustering and/or did not correct for group sizes. Here, we use molecular data on relatedness from 44 species of mammals to investigate the phylogenetic clustering of, and the association between, allomaternal care and relatedness among females within a social unit. We find (i) a strong phylogenetic signal for allomaternal care and a moderate one for relatedness and group size, and (ii) a positive association between relatedness and allomaternal care, even when correcting for the smaller than average group sizes in species with allomaternal care. We also find that, in species without allomaternal care, adult females often live with unrelated females even when groups are small. We discuss these results in the light of recent evidence for the role of kin selection and the monogamy hypothesis in cooperative breeding.

scholarly journals When cooperation begets cooperation: the role of key individuals in galvanizing support

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1683) ◽  
pp. 20150012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine McAuliffe ◽  
Richard Wrangham ◽  
Luke Glowacki ◽  
Andrew F. Russell
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Breeding ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Limited Power ◽  
Differential Costs

Life abounds with examples of conspecifics actively cooperating to a common end, despite conflicts of interest being expected concerning how much each individual should contribute. Mathematical models typically find that such conflict can be resolved by partial-response strategies, leading investors to contribute relatively equitably. Using a case study approach, we show that such model expectations can be contradicted in at least four disparate contexts: (i) bi-parental care; (ii) cooperative breeding; (iii) cooperative hunting; and (iv) human cooperation. We highlight that: (a) marked variation in contributions is commonplace; and (b) individuals can often respond positively rather than negatively to the contributions of others. Existing models have surprisingly limited power in explaining these phenomena. Here, we propose that, although among-individual variation in cooperative contributions will be influenced by differential costs and benefits, there is likely to be a strong genetic or epigenetic component. We then suggest that selection can maintain high investors ( key individuals ) when their contributions promote support by increasing the benefits and/or reducing the costs for others. Our intentions are to raise awareness in—and provide testable hypotheses of—two of the most poorly understood, yet integral, questions regarding cooperative ventures: why do individuals vary in their contributions and when does cooperation beget cooperation?

scholarly journals Do avian cooperative breeders live longer?

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1787) ◽  
pp. 20140844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Beauchamp
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Cooperative Breeding ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Breeding Strategy ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Ecological Constraints ◽  
Annual Survival ◽  
Species Pairs

Cooperative breeding is not common in birds but intriguingly over-represented in several families, suggesting that predisposing factors, similar ecological constraints or a combination of the two facilitate the evolution of this breeding strategy. The life-history hypothesis proposes that cooperative breeding is facilitated by high annual survival, which increases the local population and leads to a shortage of breeding opportunities. Clutch size in cooperative breeders is also expected to be smaller. An earlier comparative analysis in a small sample of birds supported the hypothesis but this conclusion has been controversial. Here, I extend the analysis to a larger, worldwide sample and take into account potential confounding factors that may affect estimates of a slow pace of life and clutch size. In a sample of 81 species pairs consisting of closely related cooperative and non-cooperative breeders, I did not find an association between maximum longevity and cooperative breeding, controlling for diet, body mass and sampling effort. However, in a smaller sample of 37 pairs, adult annual survival was indeed higher in the cooperative breeders, controlling for body mass. There was no association between clutch size and cooperative breeding in a sample of 93 pairs. The results support the facilitating effect of high annual survival on the evolution of cooperative breeding in birds but the effect on clutch size remains elusive.

Global Modelling of Food and Agriculture

1980 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-180
Author(s):  
CENTRE FOR WORLD FOOD STUDIES Amsterdam; The Hague; Wageningen
Keyword(s):  
Food Studies ◽  
Tax Rates ◽  
World Food ◽  
Ecological Constraints ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Import And Export ◽  
Global Equilibrium ◽  
Global Modelling ◽  
Distribution Of Income

The Centre for World Food Studies is developing price endogenous models focusing on agriculture and incorporating detailed agronomic information. Moreover, the structure of these models is such that they can be linked in order to represent international trade, resulting in a global equilibrium. The developing country models emphasize and analyze the problem of small and landless farmers, the role of possible ecological constraints, and the changes in the distribution of income between agriculture and non-agriculture as well as within agriculture. Model alternatives can be analyzed through changes in various parameters, e.g. direct and indirect tax rates, tariffs, buffer stocks, import and export quotas. A brief outline of the Thailand model is presented.

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