Page "Brood parasite" Paragraph 13

It has often been a question why the majority of the hosts of brood parasites care for the nestlings of their parasites.

Not only do these brood parasites usually differ significantly in size and appearance, but it is highly probable that they reduce the reproductive success of their hosts.

So what possible benefits are gained from providing this parental care?

Through studies in an attempt to answer this question evolved the " Mafia hypothesis ".

This hypothesis revolves around host manipulations induced by behaviors of the brood parasite.

Upon the detection and rejection of a brood parasite's egg, the host's nest is depredated upon, its nest destroyed and nestlings injured or killed.

This threatening response is indirectly enhancing selective pressures favoring aggressive parasite behavior that may result in positive feedback between Mafia-like parasite and compliant host behaviors.