Effects of mating system, kinship, and environment on complex joint-nesting breeding birds

目前，关于一夫一妻制和相关的亲属关系是否是合作演变的关键因素，存在着巨大的争论。一夫一妻制导致在幼崽扩散延迟时产生高水平的亲属关系(允许为利他行为和合作繁殖进行亲属选择)。然而，延迟分散也会导致与已知群体成员的稳定社会互动(允许有益行为的回报，这可能提供直接的适应)。对合作繁殖者的研究大多集中在一夫一妻制的基于亲缘关系的合作群体，从而混淆了交配制度和合作。我研究了两个物种，在这些物种中，一夫一妻制和基于亲缘关系的合作育种没有相关性。我的研究计划的长期目标是确定亲属关系、交配制度和群体内的社会稳定如何影响群体繁育鸟类的合作和冲突。

Currently there is great debate about whether monogamy and associated kinship is a key element in the evolution of cooperation. Monogamy leads to high levels of kinship when dispersal of young is delayed (allowing kin selection for altruistic behaviour and cooperative breeding). However, delayed dispersal also leads to stable social interactions with known group members (allowing reciprocation of helpful behaviours which may provide direct fitness). Most studies of cooperative breeders focus on monogamous kin-based cooperative groups, thus confounding mating system and cooperation. I study two species in which monogamy and kin-based cooperative breeding are not correlated. The long-term goal of my research program is to determine how kinship, mating system, and social stability within groups affect cooperation and conflict in group breeding birds.