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The best of both worlds: no apparent trade-off between immunity and reproduction in two group-living African mole-rat species.

Authors :
Wallace, K. M. E.
Hart, Daniel W.
Venter, F.
van Vuuren, A. K. Janse
Bennett, N. C.
Source :
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences; 8/14/2023, Vol. 378 Issue 1883, p1-10, 10p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Co-operatively breeding mammals often exhibit a female reproductive skew and suppression of the subordinate non-breeding group members. According to evolutionary theory and the immunity–fertility axis, an inverse relationship between reproductive investment and survival (through immunocompetence) is expected. As such, this study investigated if a trade-off between immunocompetence and reproduction arises in two co-operatively breeding African mole-rat species, namely the Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) and common mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus), which possess female reproductive division of labour. This study also attempted to investigate the relationship between the immune and endocrine systems in Damaraland mole-rats. There was no trade-off between reproduction and immunocompetence in co-operatively breeding African mole-rat species, and in the case of the Damaraland mole-rats, breeding females (BFs) possessed increased immunocompetence compared with non-breeding females (NBFs). Furthermore, the increased levels of progesterone possessed by Damaraland mole-rat BFs compared with NBFs appear to be correlated to increased immunocompetence. In comparison, BF and NBF common mole-rats possess similar immunocompetence. The species-specific differences in the immunity–fertility axis may be due to variations in the strengths of reproductive suppression in each species. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolutionary ecology of inequality'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09628436
Volume :
378
Issue :
1883
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
164494188
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2022.0310