Predator-induced injury of a neonatal pronghorn cues abandonment of current reproductive investment

Ecology
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Abstract

Evolutionary theory predicts that parental care is favored when the fitness benefits outweigh the costs of providing care (Klug et al., 2012). In mammals, parental care is generally provided by females, who provide nourishment through lactation, protection from predators, aid in juvenile movement, or otherwise facilitate offspring survival (Balshine, 2012; Lent, 1974). However, in capital breeding species that rely on stored energy reserves for reproduction, increased investment can reduce the female's body condition and the number of offspring produced in subsequent years (Balme et al., 2017; Cook et al., 2013; Stephens et al., 2009). Unlike income breeders, which produce offspring from concurrent energy uptake, capital breeders deplete energy stores during reproduction, and lactation hinders the recovery of these stores (Clutton-Brock et al., 1983; Cook et al., 2013; Stephens et al., 2009). Consequently, iteroparous mammals face a trade-off between investing in current offspring and investing in maintenance or future offspring (Hamel et al., 2010; Stearns, 1989; Williams, 1966).

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Predator-induced injury of a neonatal pronghorn cues abandonment of current reproductive investment
Series title Ecology
DOI 10.1002/ecy.70111
Volume 106
Issue 5
Publication Date May 18, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Ecological Society of America
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Leetown
Description e70111, 6 p.
Additional publication details