AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Mate guarding in the acorn woodpecker: Within-group reproductive competition in a cooperative breeder

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1983
Authors:Mumme, RL, Koenig, WD, Pitelka, FA
Journal:Animal Behaviour
Volume:31
Issue:4
Date Published:1983
ISBN Number:0003-3472
Keywords:Melanerpes, Melanerpes formicivorus, Picidae
Abstract:California populations of acorn woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) show two distinct types of cooperative breeding: Cooperative Polygamy, whereby two or more individuals of the same sex share breeding status and mates, and Helping, whereby non-reproductives assist in rearing young. Because the presence of more than one male within a single social unit could greatly increase the threat of kleptogamy (cuckoldry), we quantified the degree to which males maintain surveillance of their females prior to and during egg laying. In polyandrous groups with two breeding males and one breeding female, both males closely guard the female early in the breeding season. Guarding begins 7-25 days before the first egg is laid and terminates 1-2 days before clutch completion. However, our data indicate that mate guarding is absent in groups that contain only a single male. This suggests that mate guarding in the acorn woodpecker is an expression of within-group reproductive competition, rather than a means by which males prevent their mates from couplating with extra-territorial males. The presence of male helpers, usually older offspring of the breeding female, has a positive effect on the mate-guarding behaviour of male breeders, even though male helpers themselves do not guard females. Female helpers, usually older offspring of the breeding males, do not lay eggs and are not guarded.
URL:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347283800177
Short Title:Animal Behaviour
Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith