This lack of kin-biased behaviour by males is unlikely to be related to any constraints on the phenotypic plasticity of sperm viability.
Whatever the reasons for a lack of kin-biased behaviour displayed by male T. oceanicus, it is certainly not the first species where kin biased behaviour has been investigated, but not found [38], [39].
In our study we found that individuals raised in both full sibling and mixed relatedness groups displayed the same lack of kin-biased behaviour, suggesting that male T. oceanicus do not discriminate kin by association, and that experience with non-sibling conspecific odours does not enhance kin discrimination in this species, at least in the context of strategic ejaculation.
A non-mutually exclusive explanation for the lack of paternal kin recognition by males in the present study is that males may not as extensively use (or rely on) the acoustic modality as females do.
Exclusion criteria were previous artificial nutrition support during hospital admission, artificial nutrition support started at the previous institution, participants <18 years of age or failure to obtain consent/assent due to serious illness or lack of next of kin.
(Interview number 11) Just as the feeling of confidence and trust signified satisfaction with the care among the next of kin, lack of trust and confidence contributed to dissatisfaction.
Further, the women were torn between raising their child with concerns for their own and their child's future, or surrender their child due to pressure from kin, lack of financial means and prevailing gender structures, but with emotional suffering.
Written informed consent/assent was obtained before enrolling a patient in the study, either from the patient, or, if patients lacked capacity, from the next of kin.
However, the lack of experimental support for paternal kin recognition of familiar individuals does not necessarily preclude that males treat paternal kin differently than unrelated individuals.
