10.5061/DRYAD.67225
Koenig, Walter D.
Cornell University
Walters, Eric L.
Old Dominion University
Data from: Temporal variability and cooperative breeding: testing the
bet-hedging hypothesis in the acorn woodpecker
Dryad
dataset
2015
cooperative breeding
Environmental variability
acorn woodpecker
bet-hedging
acorn crop
Melanerpes formicivorus
2015-09-01T17:26:41Z
2015-09-01T17:26:41Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2015.1742
281088 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Cooperative breeding is generally considered an adaptation to ecological
constraints on dispersal and independent breeding, usually due to limited
breeding opportunities. Although benefits of cooperative breeding are
typically thought of in terms of increased mean reproductive success, it
has recently been proposed that this phenomenon may be a bet-hedging
strategy that reduces variance in reproductive success (fecundity
variance) in populations living in highly variable environments. We tested
this hypothesis using long-term data on the polygynandrous acorn
woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus). In general, fecundity variance
decreased with increasing sociality, at least when controlling for annual
variation in ecological conditions. Nonetheless, decreased fecundity
variance was insufficient to compensate for reduced per capita
reproductive success of larger, more social groups, which typically
suffered lower estimated mean fitness. We did, however, find evidence that
sociality in the form of larger group size resulted in increased fitness
in years following a small acorn crop due to reduced fecundity variance.
Bet-hedging, although not the factor driving sociality in general, may
play a role in driving acorn woodpecker group living when acorns are
scarce and ecological conditions are poor.
HNHR_monthly_weatherMonthly rainfall and temperature data for Hastings
Reservation (the study site), 1939 - 2013.Hastings_mean_acorn_cropMean
acorn crop data for Hastings Reservation (the study site), between 1980
and 2012. Data are the mean number of acorns counted per 30-s sample
across all oak trees sampled (N = 250). Data are both the raw number of
acorns counted and the mean log-transformed (ln[x+1]) number of acorns
counted. Acorns are counted in the fall of year x, and thus correspond to
the acorn woodpecker breeding season of year
x+1.AcornWoodpeckerReproDataRaw data for acorn woodpecker group
composition and reproductive success (total number of young fledged in the
spring breeding season), 1972 - 2013, by territory (group).
Central Coastal California