Ecological Radiation and Social Evolution of Malagasy Endemic Vangas(Aves : Vangidae)

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The family Vangidae is endemic to Madagascar(17 species) and provides one of the most striking examples of adaptive radiation. In contrast to morphology and foraging ecology, little is known about mating system of each species, except for the Rufous Vanga. The Rufous Vanga has a cooperative breeding system that young males act as helpers. Is this cooperative breeding system present among other vangas as well or is this breeding system specific to the Rufous Vanga within this group? This question is our starting point. Our studies show that 5 of 17 species were cooperative breeders and 10 were monogamous species(two were not able to study). Cooperative breeding was not concentrated within a specific taxonomic group of vanga but occurred in the dry forests.