Meaning of siblicide | Babel Free

Definitions

The killing of a sibling, especially as observed among certain species of animals.

countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“I continue⟳ to question⟳ the interpretation of "fatal sibling aggression" and active brood reduction as a means of maximizing productivity[…]. To me, the data clearly indicate⟳ a simple response to food availability, with the oldest young passively out-competing its smaller sibling for a limited resource. I still have⟳ not seen data to support⟳ "siblicide" as a strategy.”

“Oophagy and adelphophagy, which are forms of embryonic cannibalism, occur⟳ in both cartilaginous and bony fishes. They are variations on the tactic of siblicide (Mock, 1984) as a reproductive strategy. In oophagy, embryos feed⟳ upon sibling eggs. […] Adelphophagy, literally eating one's brother, is also known in sharks as intrauterine embryonic cannibalism[…].”

“Obligate siblicide is best known in various eagles, boobies, and pelicans. All lay⟳ two eggs, hatching is asynchronus, and usually the elder sib kills its younger sib soon after hatch. From the parent's perspective, the second egg/chick serves as insurance against the unexpected failure of the first[…]. Interestingly, obligate siblicide seems to be independent of prevailing food at the time of the junior sibling[']s demise.”

“If siblicides are victim-based, a mother clearly cannot improve⟳ her fitness by producing fewer eggs. Less obviously, mothers may eventually be able to gain⟳ by laying more, until eventually they are constrained by the costs of eggs.”

“One of the more recent examinations of siblicide cases is [John M.] Dawson and [Patrick A.] Langan's Special Report⟳ on Murder⟳ in Families, published through the Bureau of Justice Statistics (1994). […] According to their findings, 85% of siblicide offenders and 73% of siblicide victims were male. […] Alcohol was reported to play⟳ a role in approximately one half of the siblicides in Dawson and Langan's study⟳.”

“Infanticide, siblicide, cannibalism, rape, and lethal combat have⟳ been documented in many kinds of animals.”

CEFR level