Getting help with the kids slows down ageing in female birds
Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 18:20
in Biology & Nature
Seychelles warblers live and breed in family groups on the tiny island of Cousin. In each group, a dominant female and male reproduce. When helpers assist the with incubation and feeding of chicks, the dominant female breeders age more slowly and live longer, a study by biologists shows. The results indicate how cooperative breeding -- which also occurs in other species, including humans -- can increase life span.