Raven scavenging favours group foraging in wolves

摘要: Wolves, Canis lupus, routinely live in large packs that include unrelated individuals and mature offspring. Studies show individual wolves suffer reduced foraging returns. Therefore, group hunting living (sociality) is generally thought to be favoured by indirect fitness gains accrued through kin-directed altruism. However, we altruism cannot account for groups offspring or individuals. We also present an analysis incorporates a previously ignored feature of wolf ecology, namely the loss food scavenging ravens, Corvus corax. By accounting this process, do indeed accrue advantages. In hypothetical absence pressure, would maximize its rate prey acquisition, minimize risk energetic shortfall, with just one other individual. incorporating effect ravens leads dramatic increase predicted size. Our indicates per capita are highest largest observed packs. The greater food-sharing costs larger pack more than offset smaller losses scavengers increased rates acquisition. Thus, contrast previous interpretations, selfish benefits social appear contribute maintenance sociality after all. explore whether such favour various carnivores hunt thus vulnerable scavenging.