02648nas a2200289   4500008004100000245008200041210006900123260000800192300001000200490000700210520183400217653002602051653002302077653001702100653001802117653002402135653002702159653002602186653001702212653002002229653001202249653001202261653001802273100001302291700002002304856003402324       2002                        eng d00aBehavioural dynamics of biparental care in the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus0 aBehavioural dynamics of biparental care in the dung beetle Ontho  cJul  a65-750 v643 aIn the dimorphic dung beetle Onthophagus taurus major males provide assistance during offspring provisioning. We examined the behavioural dynamics of biparental care to quantify directly how males and females allocate time to parental and nonparental behaviours and to determine whether parents adjust their level of investment relative to their partner's contribution. Females allocated more of their time budget to parental behaviours than males. The proportion of time females allocated to parental behaviours increased after oviposition while that of a male decreased. Male paternity assurance behaviours were negatively associated with male and female parental behaviours. Theoretical models predict that the investment provided by the members of a cooperative pair should be negatively correlated and that any shortfall of one parent should be partially compensated for by the other. In-the absence of a male, unassisted females allocated more time to parental care, and performed more parental behaviours. However, compensation was incomplete as unassisted females performed fewer parental behaviours than pairs, resulting in significantly lighter brood masses (the egg and its associated dung supply). Males performed more parental behaviours when paired with small females, and small females more than large females. Contrary to prediction, the investments provided by males and females in a cooperative pair were positively correlated. Males coordinated their parental behaviours with the females rather than acting independently. Since parental behaviours were directly related to the weight of brood masses, the observed parental interactions will have important fitness consequences in this species., (C) 2002 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.10afluctuating asymmetry10amale parental care10amale-removal10aorange-tufted10apaternal investment10aprisoners-dilemma game10ared-winged blackbirds10areproductive10asexual conflict10asuccess10asunbird10atree swallows1 aHunt, J.1 aSimmons, L., W.  u<Go to ISI>://000178657200008