Data from: Growth affects dispersal success in social mole-rats, but not the duration of philopatry

In naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber), some non-breeding males show
faster growth and are more likely to disperse than others. These
differences have been suggested to be the result of a specialized
developmental strategy leading to shorter philopatry and independent
breeding, as opposed to extended philopatry as non-reproductive helpers.
However, it is unclear whether fast-growing males disperse sooner than
slow-growing males. An alternative explanation is that variation in
quality between individuals causes high-quality individuals to grow
quickly and maximize dispersal success without reducing philopatry. Here
we show, that in Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis), males that
subsequently disperse successfully, grow faster than other
non-reproductive males. This pattern is predicted by both hypotheses and
does not discriminate between them. However, contrary to the suggestion
that faster growth represents a developmental specialisation for early
dispersal, fast-growing and slow-growing males remained equally long in
their natal groups. Our study provides no evidence for adaptive divergence
in male development leading either to early dispersal, or extended
philopatry. Instead of representing specialized dispersers, fast-growing
males of this species may be high-quality individuals.