An integrative, peer-reviewed and open-source cooperative-breeding database (Co-BreeD)

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Zoology

Background:

• Cooperative breeding, where individuals assist in raising non-descendant young, is crucial for understanding social evolution.
• Existing datasets for cross-species analysis of cooperative breeding often lack precision.
• Advancing research on sociality and cooperation requires more robust comparative data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Cooperative-Breeding Database (Co-BreeD) for birds and mammals.
• To provide a precise, sample-based, and open-source resource for comparative research on cooperative breeding.
• To facilitate a deeper understanding of the prevalence and drivers of cooperative breeding across species.

Main Methods:

• Integrated complementary datasets covering various biological parameters relevant to cooperative breeding.
• Structured the database with sample-based data, linking multiple records per species to precise locations and time periods.
• Ensured the database is open-source to allow community correction and expansion.

Main Results:

• The initial Co-BreeD dataset includes data from 460 populations across 324 species (including humans), detailing 43,247 breeding events.
• Demonstrated Co-BreeD's utility in treating cooperative breeding as a continuous trait, moving beyond binary classifications.
• Preliminary findings suggest cooperative breeding is likely more prevalent in birds and mammals than previously estimated.

Conclusions:

• Co-BreeD significantly improves the precision and scope of comparative research on cooperative breeding.
• The database enables linking trait variation with fine-scale environmental parameters.
• Cooperative breeding is a widespread phenomenon in birds and mammals, necessitating further investigation.