Research overview: paternity sharing among lion coalition males

Within a lion pride, resident males form coalitions that collectively defend breeding access, raising the question of how paternity is shared among them. This overview surveys genetic and behavioral studies of paternity in lion coalitions, which show that males generally share reproduction rather than one individual monopolizing it, especially in smaller coalitions of relatives. It reviews how coalition size, kinship, and competition influence the distribution of paternity and how kin selection makes cooperation favorable when coalition partners are related. The review connects paternity sharing to the evolution of lion social structure and male cooperation. Understanding how coalition males share paternity is central to interpreting lion mating systems and reproductive skew.