Presentation Details
| A cryptic role for reciprocal helping in a cooperatively breeding bird Alexis D.Earl1, 2, 5, Gerald G.Carter3, 4, Arden G.Berlinger1, 6, Elkana Korir2, Shailee S.Shah1, 2, 3, 5, 7, Wilson N.Watetu2, Dustin R.Rubenstein1, 2. 1Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.2Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Laikipia County, Kenya.3Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.4Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City Panama.5Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.6University of Cambridge, Cambridge United Kingdom.7Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, USA |
Abstract
Identifying the mechanisms that underlie cooperation is fundamental to biology. The most complex form of cooperation occurs in cooperative breeders, where helpers forego reproduction and assist in raising the young of others, typically kin. Not all cooperative societies, however, are kin-based—nearly half of all avian and mammalian cooperative breeders form mixed-kin societies. Helpers in mixed-kin societies can gain indirect fitness from the preferential helping of relatives, but helpers also assist nonkin, highlighting a potential role for direct fitness. Here, using a 20-year study of superb starlings, we examined how direct and indirect fitness jointly influence helping. We detected kin-biased helping, yet non-kin helping was common. Specific pairs maintained longterm reciprocal helping relationships by swapping roles across their lives. Given the frequency of non-kin helping and the occurrence of reciprocal helping among both kin and non-kin, helping seems to be greatly influenced by direct fitness. However, the relative importance of direct and indirect fitness varied with helpers’ sex and dispersal history.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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