"Old Blue" however, the sole breeding female in 1980, lived for over 14 years.

Each group contains a single breeding female who will mate with all the males of the group.

So far, each species that practices reproductive altruism is ruled by a queen, the only breeding female who is larger than the rest.

Unfortunately for the future of the Wyoming toad, there have been no breeding females to grab for the past year.

The earliest breeding females lay the largest clutches and produce the most young, usually six or seven chicks.

Rosey - She was born at Marineland in 1984 and is a fully mature breeding female.

She is retired from shows and is a mature breeding female.

Extra male helpers aid the male in his responsibilities whereas the females aid the main breeding female in hers.

A new male in a group gives a non-breeding female a chance to breed although the resident breeding female is still an obstacle.

Many fishermen generally release dusky flatead over 70cm, recognising that they are important large breeding females.