Within‐group sex ratios predict growth of social mole‐rats

• DOI: 10.1111/jzo.13196
• Publication Date: 2024-06-17T17:16:17Z
• Authors: H. M. Bensch; J. Thorley; K. T. Finn; M. Zöttl
• Keywords: Mole

Abstract Groups of wild animals can vary considerably in their composition, including the proportion group members who are male or female, that is within‐group sex ratio. Variation ratios arise from active adjustment litter by mothers, differences mortality, dispersal and immigration, stochastic variation recruitment. ratio have consequences for competition affect individual life histories throughout development. In this paper, we explore which processes may generate Damaraland mole‐rats ( Fukomys damarensis ), a singular cooperative breeder. We investigate whether predict growth, body condition philopatry individuals. show although population‐level balanced, skewed common, particularly among small groups. Our data suggests recruits explains natural Non‐breeding individuals groups with biased towards own grow more slowly than opposite sex, suggesting intra‐sexual decrease growth rates. suggest costs contribute to large observed social mole‐rat