ISSN:
1432-0762
Keywords:
Mammalian-eusociality
;
Mole-rats
;
Cryptomys
;
Heterocephalus
;
Bathyergidoe
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Extensive field and laboratory studies show that Damaraland mole-rats, like naked mole-rats, have an extreme form of vertebrate sociality. Colonies usually contain 2 reproductives and up to 39 non-breeding siblings, 90% of whom live a socially-induced lifetime of sterility; they remain in the natal colony, forage for food, defend the colony and care for successive litters. Although there is heightened dispersal following good rainfall, the majority of adult non-reproductives remain in their natal colony and failure to disperse is not directly attributable to habitat saturation or unfavourable soil conditions. A major dispersal event follows the death of a reproductive. Differences in colony cohesion, ethology and the hormonal profiles of non-reproductive animals suggests that eusociality evolved along different pathways in these two phylogenetically divergent genera of the Bathyergidae.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02027122
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