Social and genetic interactions drive fitness variation in a free-living dolphin population

摘要: The evolutionary forces that drive fitness variation in species are of considerable interest. Despite this, the relative importance and interactions genetic social factors involved evolution traits wild mammalian populations largely unknown. To date, a few studies have demonstrated might be influenced by either or genes natural populations, but none explored how combined effect parameters interact to influence fitness. Drawing from long-term study bottlenose dolphins eastern gulf Shark Bay, Western Australia, we present unique approach understanding these interactions. Our shows female calving success depends on both inheritance bonds. Moreover, demonstrate between also Therefore, our represents major methodological advance, provides critical insights into interplay