The utility of reproductive skew models in the study of male primates, a critical evaluation

Port, Markus; Kappeler, Peter M.

doi:10.1002/evan.20243

Cited by 60 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 93 publications

(131 reference statements)

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“…The extent to which matings can be monopolized by dominants (of either sex), i.e. the degree of reproductive skew, is also influenced by several factors, including group size and kinship, so that the outcome varies not only among, but also within-species [36,37].…”

Section: (B) Components Of Social Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constraints and flexibility in mammalian social behaviour: introduction and synthesis

Kappeler

Barrett

Blumstein

et al. 2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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144

112

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This paper introduces a Theme Issue presenting the latest developments in research on the interplay between flexibility and constraint in social behaviour, using comparative datasets, long-term field studies and experimental data from both field and laboratory studies of mammals. We first explain our focus on mammals and outline the main components of their social systems, focusing on variation within- and among-species in numerous aspects of social organization, mating system and social structure. We then review the current state of primarily ultimate explanations of this diversity in social behaviour. We approach the question of how and why the balance between behavioural flexibility and continuity is achieved by discussing the genetic, developmental, ecological and social constraints on hypothetically unlimited behavioural flexibility. We introduce the other contributions to this Theme Issue against this background and conclude that constraints are often crucial to the evolution and expression of behavioural flexibility. In exploring these issues, the enduring relevance of Tinbergen's seminal paper ‘On aims and methods in ethology’, with its advocacy of an integrative, four-pronged approach to studying behaviour becomes apparent: an exceptionally fitting tribute on the 50th anniversary of its publication.

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Section: (B) Components Of Social Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constraints and flexibility in mammalian social behaviour: introduction and synthesis

Kappeler

Barrett

Blumstein

et al. 2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

Self Cite

144

112

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Individuals of low relatedness would probably gain higher fitness by reproducing solitarily rather than being subordinate group members. Therefore, the overall evidence suggests that individuals rarely modulate reproductive shares in response to the intrinsic characteristics of other group members, such as relatedness (30)(31)(32).…”

Section: Successes: Biased Sex Investment Ratios and Parentage Of Malmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kinship, greenbeards, and runaway social selection in the evolution of social insect cooperation

Nonacs

2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Social Hymenoptera have played a leading role in development and testing of kin selection theory. Inclusive fitness models, following from Hamilton's rule, successfully predict major life history characteristics, such as biased sex investment ratios and conflict over parentage of male offspring. However, kin selection models poorly predict patterns of caste-biasing nepotism and reproductive skew within groups unless kin recognition constraints or grouplevel selection is also invoked. These successes and failures mirror the underlying kin recognition mechanisms. With reliable environmental cues, such as the sex of offspring or the origin of male eggs, predictions are supported. When only genetic recognition cues are potentially available, predictions are not supported. Mathematical simulations demonstrate that these differing mechanisms for determining kinship produce very different patterns of behavior. Decisions based on environmental cues for relatedness result in a robust mixture of cooperation and noncooperation depending on whether or not Hamilton's rule is met. In contrast, cooperation evolves under a wider range of conditions and to higher frequencies with genetic kin recognition as shared greenbeard traits. This "excess of niceness" matches the existing patterns in caste bias and reproductive skew; individuals often help others at an apparent cost to their inclusive fitness. The results further imply a potential for greenbeardtype kin recognition to create arbitrary runaway social selection for shared genetic traits. Suggestive examples in social evolution may be alloparental care and unicoloniality in ants. Differences in kin recognition mechanisms also can have consequences for maintenance of advantageous genetic diversity within populations.kin nepotism | phenotypic matching | social heterosis S eemingly overtly altruistic behavior, such as individuals accepting sterility, has puzzled evolutionary biologists since the time of Darwin. The first truly predictive framework for how reducing one's own reproduction could be adaptive came from the seminal work of W. D. Hamilton (1). His key insight was that fitness is "inclusive" of both an individual's direct reproduction and indirect gains arising through help provided to genetic relatives. Gains in indirect fitness, often labeled as "kin selection," recast altruism as an ultimately selfish act. Help relatives if the benefit provided (b), prorated by the genetic relatedness of the recipient (r), exceeds the cost to self (c). This is Hamilton's rule: Helping is adaptive if br > c.More than any other taxonomic group, social Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps) sit at an apparent peak of kin selection, with many species having morphologically sterile workers. Kin selection and applications of Hamilton's rule, however, extend far the beyond the evolution of sterile castes to examine many aspects of cooperative (and noncooperative) behavior (2). Thus, social insects have had a pivotal role in the development of kin selection theory and its elevation to being the...

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“…Moreover, group size, social structure and dominance hierarchies may further constrain individual mating strategies. For example, reproduction may be largely monopolised by top-ranking males in mixed sex groups [22]. Primate studies thus help us to resolve important questions regarding the evolution of mate choice in animal societies, such as whether mate preferences for good genes can evolve in a social context, and how individual preferences translate into choices in spite of social constraints.…”

Section: A Key To Understanding Human Mate Choicementioning

confidence: 99%

The hidden benefits of sex: Evidence for MHC‐associated mate choice in primate societies

Setchell

Huchard

2010

BioEssays

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Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-associated mate choice is thought to give offspring a fitness advantage through disease resistance. Primates offer a unique opportunity to understand MHC-associated mate choice within our own zoological order, while their social diversity provides an exceptional setting to examine the genetic determinants and consequences of mate choice in animal societies. Although mate choice is constrained by social context, increasing evidence shows that MHCdependent mate choice occurs across the order in a variety of socio-sexual systems and favours mates with dissimilar, diverse or specific genotypes non-exclusively. Recent research has also identified phenotypic indicators of MHC quality. Moreover, novel findings rehabilitate the importance of olfactory cues in signalling MHC genes and influencing primate mating decisions. These findings underline the importance to females of selecting a sexual partner of high genetic quality, as well as the generality of the role of MHC genes in sexual selection.

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The utility of reproductive skew models in the study of male primates, a critical evaluation

Cited by 60 publications

References 93 publications

Constraints and flexibility in mammalian social behaviour: introduction and synthesis

Constraints and flexibility in mammalian social behaviour: introduction and synthesis

Kinship, greenbeards, and runaway social selection in the evolution of social insect cooperation

The hidden benefits of sex: Evidence for MHC‐associated mate choice in primate societies

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