Breeders are less active foragers than non-breeders in wild Damaraland mole-rats.

ABSTRACT: Eusocial societies are characterized by a clear division of labour between non-breeding workers and breeding queens, and queens often do not contribute to foraging, defence and other maintenance tasks. It has been suggested that the structure and organization of social mole-rat groups resembles that of eusocial insect societies. However, the division of labour has rarely been investigated in wild mole-rats, and it is unknown whether breeders show decreased foraging activity compared with non-breeding helpers in natural groups. Here, we show that, in wild Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis), breeders show lower activity in foraging areas than non-breeding group members. Both breeders and non-breeders displayed variation in activity across the different seasons. Our results sugg

SUBMITTER: Francioli Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7655476 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature