Aggression and submission reflect reproductive conflict between females in cooperatively breeding meerkats Suricata suricatta

摘要: In many cooperatively breeding species, dominant females suppress reproduction in subordinates. Although it is commonly assumed that aggression from plays a role reproductive suppression, little known about the distribution of aggressive interactions. Here, we investigate and submissive interactions among female meerkats (Suricata suricatta). this produce more than 80% litters, but older subordinates occasionally breed. Dominant kill pups usually evict group 1–3 weeks before birth female's litter. The frequency toward submission each subordinate showed to increased as age approached. Moreover, approached, both these behaviors intensified quickly between younger predicted whether was evicted group; by timing their eviction during pregnancy period female. These results support idea conflict increases with and, since are most likely reproduce, suggest may less easily control attempts females.