Mother-offspring distances reflect sex differences in fine-scale genetic structure of eastern grey kangaroos.

摘要: Natal dispersal affects life history and population biology causes gene flow. In mammals, is usually male-biased so that females tend to be philopatric surrounded by matrilineal kin, which may lead preferential associations among female kin. Here we combine genetic analyses behavioral observations investigate spatial structure sex-biased patterns in a high-density of mammals showing fission–fusion group dynamics. We studied eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) over 2 years at Wilsons Promontory National Park, Australia, found weak fine-scale adult both years but no males. Immature male moved away from their mothers 18–25 months age, while immature remained near until older. A higher proportion (34%) than (6%) subadults young adults were observed disperse, although median distances detected dispersals similar for sexes. Adult had overlapping ranges far wider the maximum extent found. Female kangaroos, weakly philopatric, mostly encounter nonrelatives groups high density, therefore kinship unlikely strongly affect sociality.