The Evolution of Sex-Biased Dispersal in Lions

摘要: Most female lions remain in their natal pride for entire lives, but about a third emigrate before they reach four yrs of age. emigrating females leave either when are evicted by an incoming male coalition or the adult give birth to new cubs. One cohort left because avoided mating with males father's coalition. Cohorts dispersing together and form whose range almost always includes at least part range. Females that suffer reduced fitness: Serengeti first breed later age than non-dispersing Ngorongoro higher mortality. Dispersal patterns large small cohorts such size rarely exceeds goes below sizes confers maximum reproductive success per female. Pride fissions have no consistent effect on average levels genetic relatedness within prides. All pride. takeover, one was fathers whereas several others voluntarily during fathers' tenure. A greater number expected from competitive ability show interest until enter Larger coalitions more likely ones gain residence adjacent pride, also younger However, not all so successful most 6-8 permanently split up soon after About half secondary dispersal shown resident is voluntary. Such voluntary movements occur three contexts: (1) annexes additional thereby gaining access (2) abandons simultaneously held prides spend time which cubs hence vulnerable infanticide (3) another In case only abandon going much larger numbers females, may fewer daughters reaching maturity former Males reside once matured, return Compared population, isolated population has lower dispersal, homozygosity some deleterious effects inbreeding.