Promiscuity and the evolutionary transition to complex societies

Charlie K. Cornwallis, Stuart A. West, Katie E. Davis and Ashleigh S. Griffin ()
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Charlie K. Cornwallis: Edward Grey Institute, University of Oxford
Stuart A. West: University of Oxford
Katie E. Davis: The Natural History Museum
Ashleigh S. Griffin: Edward Grey Institute, University of Oxford

Nature, 2010, vol. 466, issue 7309, 969-972

Abstract: Cooperation versus promiscuity Why do individuals of some animal species live in cooperative social groups? An analysis across bird species indicates that whether or not a species is cooperative depends on the sex lives of females. Cooperation is more likely when promiscuity is low, when females mate with only a single male for instance, which means helpers can be more sure that they are helping relatives. Intermediate levels of promiscuity favour the ability to distinguish relatives from non-relatives, but at high levels of promiscuity, no form of cooperation is favoured.

Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1038/nature09335

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