Ecology and Evolution of Social Behavior

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This work involves investigation of the social behavior of the acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), a cooperatively breeding species, using a completely color-banded population intensively monitored since 1971. Based on behavioral observations, groups of this species appear to consist of multiple reproductive males and females along with apparently nonbreeding offspring from prior years. However, complete understanding of the behavior of this species has been compromised by previous inability to precisely determine parentage within groups. This study will initiate efforts to address this problem using new molecular techniques that are able to resolve uncertainties of parentage. Determination of parentage will contribute substantially to the understanding of social behavior by clarifying the conflicting roles of competition and cooperation within the highly complex acorn woodpecker society. Such knowledge has potential applications to all fields involving the study of sociality including anthropology, sociology, and behavioral ecology.