  The parent-offspring conflict theory is an interesting premise for
understanding the dynamics of parental care. However, this theory is not easy
to test empirically, as exact measures of parental investment in an
experimental set-up are difficult to obtain. We have used the Indian feral dog
as a model system to test the POC theory in their natural habitat in the
context of the mother's tendency to share food given by humans with her pups in
the weaning and post-weaning stage. Our behavioural bioassay convincingly
demonstrates an increase of conflict and decrease of cooperation by the mother
with her offspring over a span of 4-6 weeks. We also demonstrate that the
conflict is intentional, and is not influenced by the hunger levels of the pups
or the litter size.
