Fine-scale genetic structure analyses suggest further male than female dispersal in mountain gorillas.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Molecular studies in social mammals rarely compare the inferences gained from genetic analyses with field information, especially in the context of dispersal. In this study, we used genetic data to elucidate sex-specific dispersal dynamics in the Virunga Massif mountain gorilla population (Gorilla beringei beringei), a primate species characterized by routine male and female dispersal from stable mixed-sex social groups. Specifically, we conducted spatial genetic structure analyses for each sex and linked our genetically-based observations with some key demographic and behavioural data from this population.

Results

To investigate the spatial genetic structure of mountain gorillas, we analysed the genotypes of 193 mature individuals at 11 microsatellite loci by mea

SUBMITTER: Roy J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4113491 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature