Substrate choice by ovipositing mothers and consequent hatchling behaviour: the exploration sharing hypothesis

Both maternal and offspring fitness would be higher if the offspring develop in a high-quality habitat than in a low-quality habitat. In animals without direct maternal care, it seems reasonable that either mothers or offspring should invest in finding the best habitat. Recent research, however, suggests extensive maternal and offspring exploration in fruit flies. We considered two hypotheses that could resolve this paradox, first that mothers …