Some socially monogamous species follow a system of cooperative breeding, in which helpers within a group help assist in taking care of offspring of other parents. This increases the chance of survival of the offspring, and provides them with care such as grooming, training, and guarding. Because of the way that offspring are raised within cooperative breeding species, the fitness of offspring is greater than offspring who are not given aid by helpers. I will be discussing research done on this phenomena and its effects on fitness in the red wolf (Canis rufus) (Sparkman et al., 2010), the white-fronted bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) (Emlen & Wrege, 1991), and the acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) (Koenig et al., 2007). Sparkman
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127 pups and 199 adults were measured by mass, ear, tail, hind foot, and body length (Sparkman et al., 2010). To test for lifetime reproductive traits, the multivariate analysis of covariance method was used with the variables of sex, adult size and mass, home-range size, and population density, as these variable were positively correlated. Lifetime reproductive success was measured by how many offspring were produced by a wolf during its lifetime. Age of first reproduction was monitored and known for 52 males and 53 females. In account to the age of first reproduction, whether the individual had helpers or not and its mass and size were taken into …show more content…
The effects of helpers was analyzed using generalized linear models, with binomial error terms to account for survival and mixed effect models for reproductive success. Breeder survivorship and reproductive success were analyzed in account to the crop availability and gender. Data was analyzed for the survivorship of breeder males. The results showed that there was a high significance of contribution to male breeders from both gender of helpers when there was a good availability of food. However, there was not much significance when the food availability was poor. (Koenig et al., 2011) Reproductive success was indicated by mixed-effect model (Koenig et al., 2011) which accounted for all nests and only successful nests. Territory, acorn crop, and prior breeding experience positively influenced reproductive success. When the crop yield was poor, male helpers decreased the number of young. However, when the crop availability was good, males significantly increased reproductive success. Female helpers on the other hand increased reproduction success regardless of crop availability steadily, but not
127 pups and 199 adults were measured by mass, ear, tail, hind foot, and body length (Sparkman et al., 2010). To test for lifetime reproductive traits, the multivariate analysis of covariance method was used with the variables of sex, adult size and mass, home-range size, and population density, as these variable were positively correlated. Lifetime reproductive success was measured by how many offspring were produced by a wolf during its lifetime. Age of first reproduction was monitored and known for 52 males and 53 females. In account to the age of first reproduction, whether the individual had helpers or not and its mass and size were taken into …show more content…
The effects of helpers was analyzed using generalized linear models, with binomial error terms to account for survival and mixed effect models for reproductive success. Breeder survivorship and reproductive success were analyzed in account to the crop availability and gender. Data was analyzed for the survivorship of breeder males. The results showed that there was a high significance of contribution to male breeders from both gender of helpers when there was a good availability of food. However, there was not much significance when the food availability was poor. (Koenig et al., 2011) Reproductive success was indicated by mixed-effect model (Koenig et al., 2011) which accounted for all nests and only successful nests. Territory, acorn crop, and prior breeding experience positively influenced reproductive success. When the crop yield was poor, male helpers decreased the number of young. However, when the crop availability was good, males significantly increased reproductive success. Female helpers on the other hand increased reproduction success regardless of crop availability steadily, but not