Maintaining social relationships is important for more than finding a mate

(Archbold Expeditions, Inc.) Maintaining social relationships beyond the immediate family group and neighbors is important for more than finding a mate. Archbold Biological Station researchers compare the social behavior of breeding Florida scrub-jays and non-breeding helpers, who assist in rearing the offspring of the breeding pair. Helpers interact with many individuals, connecting otherwise unconnected groups. Breeders interact with fewer individuals, who all tend to interact directly. In a year when many breeders forwent reproduction, their social behavior resembled that of helpers.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news