Lifetime reproductive characteristics of gray wolves

• Published in: Journal of Mammalogy
• Main Author: Ausband, David E
• Other Authors: Crimmins, Shawn, Regina Bauer Frankenberg Foundation for Animal Welfare, Bernice Barbour Foundation, Coypu Foundation, Eppley Foundation for Research, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Kampe Foundation, Leonard X. Bosack and Bette M. Kruger Charitable Foundation, Nancy Carroll Draper Foundation, Nez Perce Tribe, Oregon Zoo Future for Wildlife, Shikar Safari Club International Foundation, Steven Leuthold Family Foundation, Mountaineers Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wilburforce Foundation, Wolf Recovery Foundation, University of Idaho College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho Environmental Science Program
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2024
• Subjects: Canis lupus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae042; https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/advance-article-pdf/doi/10.1093/jmammal/gyae042/57445550/gyae042.pdf

Abstract Female and male cooperative breeders can use different strategies to maximize reproduction and fitness over their lifetimes. Answering questions about fitness in cooperative breeders requires long-term studies as well as complete data on group composition and size which can be exceedingly difficult to obtain. Using a long-term genetic data set of complete group pedigrees, I asked how lifetime reproductive characteristics of female and male gray wolves (Canis lupus) differed. I predicted that genetic relatedness to helpers would be higher for females than males due to philopatric behavior of female wolves, group size would be similar between the sexes, females would inherit breeding positions from within groups more often than males due to differences in dispersal strategies between the sexes, males would have more lifetime mates and produce more young than females because of polygamy, and females would breed for more years than males due to the likelihood that females would still breed (with a new partner) after a mate died or was expelled from the group. I documented complete lifetime breeding histories for 11 male and 18 female wolves in Idaho, United States, 2008 to 2018. Genetic relatedness to helpers, group size, number of mates, pups, and years breeding did not differ between the sexes. Females, however, inherited breeding positions within groups far more often than males. Individuals who secured breeding positions generally reproduced for 2 seasons and commonly had more than 1 partner during their lifetimes if they were able to maintain their breeding position longer. Direct fitness varied greatly within female and male breeding wolves.