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Science 28 September 2001:
Vol. 293. no. 5539, pp. 2446 - 2449
DOI: 10.1126/science.1061274
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Reports

Effects of Helpers on Juvenile Development and Survival in Meerkats

T. H. Clutton-Brock,1* A. F. Russell,1 L. L. Sharpe,2 P. N. M. Brotherton,1 G. M. McIlrath,3 S. White,1 E. Z. Cameron3

Although breeding success is known to increase with group size in several cooperative mammals, the mechanisms underlying these relationships are uncertain. We show that in wild groups of cooperative meerkats, Suricata suricatta, reductions in the ratio of helpers to pups depress the daily weight gain and growth of pups and the daily weight gain of helpers. Increases in the daily weight gain of pups are associated with heavier weights at independence and at 1 year of age, as well as with improved foraging success as juveniles and higher survival rates through the first year of life. These results suggest that the effects of helpers on the fitness of pups extend beyond weaning and that helpers may gain direct as well as indirect benefits by feeding pups.

1 Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
2 Department of Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland 7602, Republic of South Africa.
3 Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, 0002 Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: thcb{at}hermes.cam.ac.uk

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