The social and behavioural dynamics of colony expansion in the Bell Miner ('Manorina melanophrys')

Title
The social and behavioural dynamics of colony expansion in the Bell Miner ('Manorina melanophrys')
Publication Date
2008
Author(s)
Dare, Amanda J
McDonald, Paul
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9541-3304
Email: pmcdon21@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:pmcdon21
Clarke, MF
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Place of publication
Australia
DOI
10.1071/MU07014
UNE publication id
une:8152
Abstract
Bell Miners ('Manorina melanophrys') are cooperatively breeding honeyeaters that defend colonies from potential predators and competitors. Despite extensive study of the social organisation of Bell Miners, little is known about the social dynamics of expansion of colonies and establishment of new territories in this species. We took advantage of an individually marked, molecularly sexed and genotyped study population to examine the social dynamics of two extensions of the range of a colony. These observations indicated colonisation of new areas by colony members was accomplished via two different pathways, either the efforts of a breeding pair and its pre-existing contingent of helpers, or a group of unmated males. Only the former bred, with greater numbers of individuals related to the breeding pair acting as helpers in new areas initially. Most colonists were males that lacked a breeding position. Ultimately both expansions of the colony proved to be temporary, with colonists returning to their former home-ranges after six months.
Link
Citation
Emu - Austral Onithology, 108(2), p. 175-180
ISSN
1448-5540
0158-4197
Start page
175
End page
180

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