Defensive secretion components of the host Parastizopus armaticeps as kairomones for the cleptoparasite Eremostibes opacus.

The subsocial tenebrionid Parastizopus armaticeps Pér. is parasitized by the closely related Eremostibes opacus Koch (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). We found that the pygidial defensive secretions of both species are similar and contain a mixture of 1,4-benzoquinones, 1-alkenes, and monoterpene hydrocarbons.

Female mate choice in a subsocial beetle: male phenotype correlates with helping potential and offspring survival.

In Parastizopus armaticeps (Tenebrionidae), a nocturnal desert beetle, the males excavate breeding burrows and maintain their moisture level while the females provision the larvae with detritus collected on the surface. The beetles court in small groups on the surface at night after rain. Male size distribution in these groups corresponded to that in the population but more large and fewer small females were present than expected and more large beetles of both sexes bred.

The effect of early separation from the mother on pups in bonding to humans and pup health.

The separation of young dogs from their mother at the age of 6 weeks had a negative effect on the physical condition and weight gain of separated pups compared to that of pups with maternal contact till 12 weeks. Disease susceptibility and mortality was higher in pups with a shorter maternal contact period. These factors were related to behavioural measurements of separation stress.

Invalid care in the dwarf mongoose (Helogale undulata rufula).

The responses of a captive family group of 12 Dwarf Mongooses (4 female and 8 male) towards a sick group member were recorded daily for 3 h over a 38 day period (until the animal died), these data being compared with those for a comparable control period. Changes in feeding rank order, resting site, resting duration and grooming frequency and duration were found, these being to the advantage of the sick individual. The probable adaptive significance of such behaviour is discussed.