Nepotism in prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus) varies with competition but not with kinship

Abstract

Behavioural interactions among black-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus) of the same sex clearly show nepotism (the favouring of kin). Males and females consistently interact more amicably with kin than with non-kin. Nepotism in this context is striking for two reasons. First, individuals do not interact more amicably with close kin such as offspring and full-siblings than with more distant kin such as half-siblings, full-nieces, half-nieces, and half-nephews. Second, nepotism varies inversely and dramatically with changes in competition for either oestrous females (among males) or nesting burrows and breeding rights (among females).