Fitness consequences of maternal rearing strategies in warthogs: influence of group size and composition

摘要: Cooperatively breeding species are defined by the presence of individuals who help in rearing offspring others. This seemingly altruistic behaviour has been difficult to define and provided not always resulted in a reproductive advantage recipient. We examine maternal strategies common warthog, Phacochoerus africanus, facultative, cooperative breeder that displays variation number non-reproductively aged group. compare adult females assess whether group size or composition increases production survival off- spring. found although observed groups with multiple was larger than with only one female, average per female was similar. Additionally, strategy had no effect on of dependant variation could be explained by either non-reproductive Taken together, these results suggest differences rearing may benefit dependent offspring, but we grouping between increase yearlings through augmentation.