Genetic inference of group dynamics and female kin structure in a western lowland gorilla population (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

摘要: Abstract. Dispersal and grouping patterns form the foundations of social interactions in group-living mammals are outcomes a complex interplay between inbreeding avoidance, kin cooperation competition, predation pressure food resource distribution. In species where both sexes disperse, potential for kin-biased associations would seem limited. one such species, western lowland gorilla (WLG), short-term data suggest that female may be present due to directed local dispersal decisions, but monitoring groups over longer timescales is needed better elucidate this pattern. Using autosomal genotyping 419 faecal samples representing 85 unhabituated gorillas collected non-invasively 5 years 132 km2 section Loango National Park, Gabon, we investigated dynamics WLG group composition, structure dispersal. By revealing two dissolutions, formation movement 13 groups, study demonstrates utility genetic analysis as way track individuals, population on larger scale than when behaviour limited number habituated or through one-time sampling. Furthermore, find females found containing their more often expected by chance, suggesting not impede WLGs.