Temporal and geographic patterns of kinship structure in common dolphins ( Delphinus delphis ) suggest site fidelity and female-biased long-distance dispersal

摘要: Social structure plays a crucial role in determining species’ dispersal patterns and genetic structure. Cetaceans show diversity of social mating systems, but their effects on are not well known, part because technical difficulties obtaining robust observational data. Here, we combine profiling GIS analysis to identify kin distribution over time space, infer short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). This species is highly social, exhibits weak spatial the Northeast Atlantic Mediterranean Sea, thought result from fluid low levels site fidelity. We found that although sampled groups were composed closely related individuals, close frequently same geographic location several years. Our results suggest dolphin some level fidelity, which could be explained by foraging for temporally varying prey resource areas familiar individuals. Dispersal natal area likely involves long-distance movements females, as males more than females locations kin. Long-distance may explain near panmixia observed this species. By analysing individuals multiple years, avoid caveats associated with divergence-based methods inferring sex-biased dispersal. thus provide unique perspective behaviour, how it relates population European waters. Movement interactions aspects wild animal’s behaviour important understanding ecology. However, tracking these behaviours directly can very challenging wide-ranging such whales dolphins. In study, used information detect associations change space time, movement identified previously unknown suggested usually travelling long distances area. data strategy overcomes known limitations inference methods, provides new approach differences between sexes, contribute better case, disperse males, pattern unusual amongst mammals.