Social living mitigates the costs of a chronic illness in a cooperative carnivore.

摘要: Infection risk is assumed to increase with social group size, and thus be a cost of living. We assess infection costs respect size using data from an epidemic sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) among grey wolves (Canis lupus). demonstrate that does not predict individual infection, in terms reduced survival, can entirely offset by having sufficient numbers pack-mates. Infected individuals experience increased mortality hazards increasing proportions infected pack-mates, but healthy remain unaffected. The support hunting territory defence are two possible mechanisms mediating costs. This likely common phenomenon other species chronic infections, difficult detect systems where status cannot measured continuously over time.