Loyal alligators display the mating habits of birds

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/w-lad100709.php

Public release date: 7-Oct-2009
Contact: Ben Norman
Wiley-Blackwell
Loyal alligators display the mating habits of birds
Discovery may lead to understanding of dinosaur mating habits

Louisiana, US - Alligators display the same loyalty to their mating partners as birds reveals a study published today in Molecular Ecology. The ten-year-study by scientists from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory reveals that up to 70% of females chose to remain with their partner, often for many years.

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This new discovery gives a new insight into the complex mating system of the alligator. Parental care is typically lacking in most reptiles, but not crocodilians who display parental care though nurturing young and defending the nest.

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