Differentiating among alternative models for the resolution of parent-offspring conflict

• Published in: Behavioral ecology Vol. 24; no. 5; pp. 1185 - 1191
• Main Authors: Andrews, C. P., Smiseth, P. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-09-2013
• ISSN: 1045-2249; 1465-7279
• DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art048

Lay summary Begging by beetle larvae gives parents greater control over how food is shared out, and is costly to larvae as it increases the risk their parent may cannibalize them. Our experiments on burying beetles help us understand how parents respond when offspring demand more food than is in the parents' own interest to provide them. Our results suggest that parents might punish larvae that attempt to demand more food by occasionally cannibalizing begging larvae. Lay summary Begging by beetle larvae gives parents greater control over how food is shared out, and is costly to larvae as it increases the risk their parent may cannibalize them. Our experiments on burying beetles help us understand how parents respond when offspring demand more food than is in the parents' own interest to provide them. Our results suggest that parents might punish larvae that attempt to demand more food by occasionally cannibalizing begging larvae.