Clutton-Brock, 2012a, 2012b, with various species relying on such systems to raise young and maintain their territories. Cooperative breeding systems are uncommon in mammals, present in about 5% of mammalian species (Lukas & Clutton-Brock, 2012b). In these species, a group typically includes a single mating pair, while other mature members of the group provide alloparental care for the pair's offspring without themselves reproducing (Lukas & Clutton-Brock, 2012b). Nonbreeding adults can be prevented from reproducing via suppressive means, such as infanticide or hormonal cues (Clutton-Brock, 2009). Nonbreeders remain with the group into adulthood, often until either one or both of the breeding pair dies, are ousted, or nonbreeding subordinates disperse and form their own groups (Lukas & Clutton-Brock, 2012b). In some species, such as giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), ageing females are known to cease reproduction and become "grandmothers," with younger females taking over the role of reproduction while the former matriarch may provide alloparental care (Davenport, 2010).In contrast, communal breeding entails systems where multiple females in a group breed and share resources in raising young (e.g.
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