Reproductive Benefits and the Duration of Paternal Care in a Biparental Burying Beetle, Necrophorus Orbicollis

What is it about?

This study examined variation in male parental care in the biparental burying beetle, Nicrophorus orbicollis. Males cared for a longer duration when the female was experimentally removed (mate compensation), on larger carcasses and when development was slower. Duration of care was not affected by male or female body size, the number of larvae, prior reproduction or burial depth. Single females produced just as many larvae as male-female pairs.

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Why is it important?

One of the clearest examples of mate compensation in a biparental species. Male parents that care with a female desert the nest after larvae are no longer vulnerable to an infanticidal takeover. Males that care by themselves extend care until the larvae leave the nest.