Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Caregivers recognize and bias response towards individual young in a cooperative breeding mammal, the banded mongoose

Gilchrist, Jason; Otali, E; Mwanguhya, F

Authors

E Otali

F Mwanguhya



Abstract

In research on parental care and cooperative breeding an issue is whether caregivers recognize individual young and therefore preferentially care for those young that will maximize inclusive fitness gains. This field study experimentally evaluates whether caregivers within groups of the cooperative breeding banded mongoose (a communal breeding species that produces litters of mixed parentage) exhibit individual recognition and increased responsiveness to the pup to which they are normally associated within a stable escort–pup pairing. A focal pup was presented to its group under controlled circumstances following temporary removal. The focal escort of a specific pup was more responsive to controlled presentation of that pup than other adults (a control escort, other escorts and non-escorts), spending a greater amount of time in close proximity. This study therefore demonstrates individual recognition and increased responsiveness by adult caregivers to associated pups in the banded mongoose. Thus, caregivers may selectively provide care for specific young within a litter, potentially increasing their inclusive fitness.

Citation

Gilchrist, J., Otali, E., & Mwanguhya, F. (2008). Caregivers recognize and bias response towards individual young in a cooperative breeding mammal, the banded mongoose. Journal of Zoology, 275, 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00405.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2008
Deposit Date Apr 3, 2014
Print ISSN 0952-8369
Electronic ISSN 1469-7998
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 275
Pages 41-46
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00405.x
Keywords communal breeding; cooperation; helping; individual recognition; kin discrimination; Mungos mungo;
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/6711
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00405.x



You might also like



Downloadable Citations