Abstract
The benefits of stable pair bonds (that persist between breeding attempts) have been well described, but are relatively less well known in cooperatively breeding species. If pair bonds are beneficial, then it is possible that the bond between the behaviorally and socially dominant pair may influence factors such as reproductive success and group stability in cooperative species. Here, we used long-term data to investigate the relationships between pair bond tenure, reproductive success, and group stability in the cooperatively breeding pied babbler (Turdoides bicolor). Pair bond tenure positively influenced both the number of offspring recruited annually per pair and total reproductive success (over entire pair bond duration), indicating that pair bond tenure has an important influence on reproductive success. The likelihood of immigration into the group was lower for groups containing a bonded pair with long tenure, indicating that the duration of pair bonds may impact group stability. These findings suggest that pair tenure, a hitherto relatively unexplored factor in cooperative species, may have an important influence on group dynamics.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 7178-7185 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Ecology and Evolution |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 14 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2018 |
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The benefits of pair bond tenure in the cooperatively breeding pied babbler (Turdoides bicolor). / Wiley, Elizabeth M.; Ridley, Amanda R.
In: Ecology and Evolution, Vol. 8, No. 14, 01.07.2018, p. 7178-7185.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The benefits of pair bond tenure in the cooperatively breeding pied babbler (Turdoides bicolor)
AU - Wiley, Elizabeth M.
AU - Ridley, Amanda R.
PY - 2018/7/1
Y1 - 2018/7/1
N2 - The benefits of stable pair bonds (that persist between breeding attempts) have been well described, but are relatively less well known in cooperatively breeding species. If pair bonds are beneficial, then it is possible that the bond between the behaviorally and socially dominant pair may influence factors such as reproductive success and group stability in cooperative species. Here, we used long-term data to investigate the relationships between pair bond tenure, reproductive success, and group stability in the cooperatively breeding pied babbler (Turdoides bicolor). Pair bond tenure positively influenced both the number of offspring recruited annually per pair and total reproductive success (over entire pair bond duration), indicating that pair bond tenure has an important influence on reproductive success. The likelihood of immigration into the group was lower for groups containing a bonded pair with long tenure, indicating that the duration of pair bonds may impact group stability. These findings suggest that pair tenure, a hitherto relatively unexplored factor in cooperative species, may have an important influence on group dynamics.
AB - The benefits of stable pair bonds (that persist between breeding attempts) have been well described, but are relatively less well known in cooperatively breeding species. If pair bonds are beneficial, then it is possible that the bond between the behaviorally and socially dominant pair may influence factors such as reproductive success and group stability in cooperative species. Here, we used long-term data to investigate the relationships between pair bond tenure, reproductive success, and group stability in the cooperatively breeding pied babbler (Turdoides bicolor). Pair bond tenure positively influenced both the number of offspring recruited annually per pair and total reproductive success (over entire pair bond duration), indicating that pair bond tenure has an important influence on reproductive success. The likelihood of immigration into the group was lower for groups containing a bonded pair with long tenure, indicating that the duration of pair bonds may impact group stability. These findings suggest that pair tenure, a hitherto relatively unexplored factor in cooperative species, may have an important influence on group dynamics.
KW - cooperative breeding
KW - pair bond
KW - pair tenure
KW - pied babblers
KW - reproductive success
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85050829130&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/ece3.4243
DO - 10.1002/ece3.4243
M3 - Article
VL - 8
SP - 7178
EP - 7185
JO - Ecology and Evolution
JF - Ecology and Evolution
SN - 2045-7758
IS - 14
ER -