Understanding social reproductive suppression across species: zoos as a unique opportunity for research

Social reproductive suppression is when the reproduction of healthy, adult animals in a population is inhibited by the presence of a socially dominant individual. This is known to happen some group-living species, where only the dominant pair will reproduce, and the other group members will assist in raising their young. There is evidence that social reproductive suppression occurs in some non-group living species, but it is unknown how frequently this happens and what evolutionary conditions or species characteristics are associated with its presence. This is often difficult to document in the wild, especially in rare species, species with large home ranges, or long generation times. Zoos provide a unique opportunity to examine the physiology and prevalence of social reproductive suppression, as animals that are typically solitary in the wild may be housed together in close proximity. In collaboration with the Toronto Zoo, I aim to understand the generality of social reproductive suppression by measuring hormone levels in species where this occurs. I am also compiling a database of species documented by the Toronto Zoo and other zoos as exhibiting social reproductive suppression. I will use this database to analyze species characteristics that co-occur with the presence of reproductive suppression.

Faculty Supervisor:

Melissa Holmes

Student:

Partner:

Toronto Zoo

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation; Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Toronto

Program: