Evolution of sex differences in cooperation can be explained by trade-offs with dispersal.

ABSTRACT: Explaining the evolution of sex differences in cooperation remains a major challenge. Comparative studies highlight that offspring of the more philopatric sex tend to be more cooperative within their family groups than those of the more dispersive sex but we do not understand why. The leading "Philopatry hypothesis" proposes that the more philopatric sex cooperates more because their higher likelihood of natal breeding increases the direct fitness benefits of natal cooperation. However, the "Dispersal trade-off hypothesis" proposes that the more dispersive sex cooperates less because preparations for dispersal, such as extra-territorial prospecting, trade-off against natal cooperation. Here, we test both hypotheses in cooperatively breeding white-browed sparrow weavers (Plocepasser mahali)

SUBMITTER: Capilla-Lasheras P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11500963 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature