Growth affects dispersal success in social mole-rats, but not the duration of philopatry.

ABSTRACT: In naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber), some non-breeding males show faster growth and are more likely to disperse than others. These differences have been suggested to be the result of a specialized developmental strategy leading to shorter philopatry and independent breeding, as opposed to extended philopatry as non-reproductive helpers. However, it is unclear whether fast-growing males disperse sooner than slow-growing males. An alternative explanation is that variation in quality between individuals causes high-quality individuals to grow quickly and maximize dispersal success without reducing philopatry. Here we show that in Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis), males that subsequently disperse successfully grow faster than other non-reproductive males. This pat

SUBMITTER: Torrents-Tico M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5830676 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature