Summary
Helpers other than parents assist in raising young, as in meerkats and some birds.
In depth
Helpers at nest gain inclusive fitness, experience and territory inheritance. Ecological constraints on dispersal promote it.
Helpers gain indirect fitness and experience, and may inherit the breeding position. Delayed dispersal is promoted when habitat is saturated. Conflicts are managed by dominance and reproductive suppression.
Example: in meerkats, subordinate females help rear the dominant female's pups.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cooperative Breeding?
Helpers other than parents assist in raising young, as in meerkats and some birds.
Which area of biology covers Cooperative Breeding, and how advanced is it?
Cooperative Breeding is one of the 53 topics in Animal Behaviour. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Hamilton's Rule, Sexual Conflict, Dominance Hierarchies.
Can you give an example of Cooperative Breeding?
Naked mole-rats have a eusocial colony with a single breeding queen.
What should I learn before Cooperative Breeding?
Work through the Beginner topics in Animal Behaviour first, such as Animal Behaviour, Innate Behaviour, Learned Behaviour, then return to Cooperative Breeding. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Cooperative Breeding?
The closest topics to Cooperative Breeding are Hamilton's Rule, Sexual Conflict, Dominance Hierarchies, Bird Song Learning. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Cooperative Breeding?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Cooperative Breeding. To practise the whole of Animal Behaviour, use the Animal Behaviour quiz.
How is Cooperative Breeding different from Hamilton's Rule?
Cooperative Breeding: Helpers other than parents assist in raising young, as in meerkats and some birds. Hamilton's Rule: Altruism evolves when relatedness times benefit exceeds the cost, rb greater than c. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Cooperative Breeding step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Hamilton's Rule and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Animal Behaviour quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.