Oxidative costs of cooperation in cooperatively breeding Damaraland mole-rats.

ABSTRACT: Within cooperatively breeding societies, individuals adjust cooperative contributions to maximize indirect fitness and minimize direct fitness costs. Yet, little is known about the physiological costs of cooperation, which may be detrimental to direct fitness. Oxidative stress, the imbalance between reactive oxygen species (by-products of energy production) and antioxidant protection, may represent such a cost when cooperative behaviours are energetically demanding. Oxidative stress can lead to the accumulation of cellular damage, compromising survival and reproduction, thus mediating the trade-off between these competing life-history traits. Here, we experimentally increased energetically demanding cooperative contributions in captive Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis). We q

SUBMITTER: Mendonca R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7542782 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature