Subordinate male meerkats prospect for extra-group paternity: alternative reproductive tactics in a cooperative mammal.

ABSTRACT: In cooperatively breeding species, subordinates typically suffer strong constraints on within-group reproduction. While numerous studies have highlighted the additional fitness benefits that subordinates might accrue through helping, few have considered the possibility that subordinates may also seek extra-group matings to improve their chances of actually breeding. Here, we show that subordinate males in cooperative meerkat, Suricata suricatta, societies conduct frequent extraterritorial forays, during periods of peak female fertility, which give rise to matings with females in other groups. Genetic analyses reveal that extra-group paternity (EGP) accrued while prospecting contributes substantially to the reproductive success of subordinates: yielding the majority of their offspring (appr

SUBMITTER: Young AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2169281 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature