Cooperative Breeding in Vertebrates

Brings together long-term studies of cooperation in vertebrates that challenge our understanding of the evolution of social behavior.

This book brings together long-term studies of cooperatively breeding birds, mammals, and fish. The chapters focus not only on describing the behavior and ecology of particular species but also on testing evolutionary hypotheses for the form and function of the diverse cooperative breeding lifestyles that have been discovered.Cooperative breeders are species in which individuals beyond a pair assist in the production of young in a single brood or litter. Although relatively rare, cooperative breeding is widespread taxonomically and continues to pose challenges to our understanding of the evolution of cooperation and altruistic behavior. Bringing together long-term studies of cooperatively breeding birds, mammals, and fish, this volume provides a synthesis of current studies in the field. The chapters are organised by individual studies of particular species or (in the case of mole-rats) two closely related cooperatively breeding species. Each focuses not only on describing behavior and ecology but also on testing evolutionary hypotheses for the form and function of the diverse and extraordinary cooperative breeding lifestyles that have been discovered. This unique and comprehensive text will be of interest to graduate students and researchers of behavioral ecology and the evolution of cooperation.