Direct fitness benefits of delayed dispersal in the cooperatively breeding red wolf (Canis rufus)

Authors: Amanda M. Sparkman Jennifer R. Adams Todd D. Steury Lisette P. WaitsDennis L. Murray

From Behavioral Ecology

“In general, we provide evidence that there are direct fitness benefits to delaying dispersal in red wolves even in the absence of reproductive opportunities in the natal pack. Thus, we lend support to the hypothesis that direct fitness benefits may in themselves be sufficient to facilitate the evolution of delayed dispersal requisite to cooperatively breeding social systems.”

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