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Genetic relatedness in groups is sex‐specific and declines with age of helpers in a cooperatively breeding cichlid
Author(s) -
Dierkes Petra,
Heg Dik,
Taborsky Michael,
Skubic Eva,
Achmann Roland
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2005.00801.x
Subject(s) - cooperative breeding , biology , kin selection , inclusive fitness , cichlid , biological dispersal , ecology , population , selection (genetic algorithm) , altruism (biology) , assortative mating , kin recognition , breeding pair , reproductive success , demography , mating , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science
Kin selection can explain the evolution of cooperative breeding and the distribution of relatives within a population may influence the benefits of cooperative behaviour. We provide genetic data on relatedness in the cooperatively breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher . Helper to breeder relatedness decreased steeply with increasing helper age, particularly to the breeding males. Helper to helper relatedness was age‐assortative and also declined with age. These patterns of relatedness could be attributed to territory take‐overs by outsiders when breeders had disappeared (more in breeding males), between‐group dispersal of helpers and reproductive parasitism. In six of 31 groups females inherited the breeding position of their mother or sister. These matrilines were more likely to occur in large groups. We conclude that the relative fitness benefits of helping gained through kin selection vs. those gained through direct selection depend on helper age and sex.