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Benefits of cooperation in captive Damaraland mole-rats

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas M Houslay
  • Philippe Vullioud
  • Markus Zöttl
  • Tim H Clutton-Brock
  • Louise Barrett

Abstract

Although the social mole-rats are commonly classified as eusocial breeders on the grounds that groups include a single breeding female (the “queen”) and a number of nonbreeding individuals (“helpers”) of both sexes, alloparental care is not highly developed in these species and there is no direct evidence that the presence or number of nonbreeders is associated with reductions in the workload of the “queen.” An alternative interpretation of mole-rat groups is that the social mole-rats are cooperative foragers rather than cooperative or eusocial breeders. Here, in captive colonies of Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis), we provide the first evidence that increases in the number of nonbreeding subordinates in mole-rat groups are associated with reductions in the workload of “queens” and with increases in their fecundity.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas M Houslay & Philippe Vullioud & Markus Zöttl & Tim H Clutton-Brock & Louise Barrett, 2020. "Benefits of cooperation in captive Damaraland mole-rats," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 31(3), pages 711-718.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:31:y:2020:i:3:p:711-718.
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