Genetic structure,lack of sex-biased dispersal and behavioral flexibility in the pair-living fat-tailed dwarf lemur, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cheirogaleus medius</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Tina Fredsted Mikkel H Schierup Linn F Groeneveld Peter M Kappeler |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Ecology and Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences,University of Aarhus,?rhus C,Denmark;2.Department of Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology,German Primate Center,G?ttingen,Germany;3.Institute of Zoology und Anthropology,University of G?ttingen,G?ttingen,Germany |
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Abstract: | Mating system and dispersal patterns influence the spatio-genetic structure within and between populations. Among mammals,
monogamy is rare, and its socio-genetic consequences have not been studied in detail before. The goal of our study was to
investigate population history, demographic structure, and dispersal patterns in a population of pair-living fat-tailed dwarf
lemurs, Cheirogaleus medius, a small, nocturnal primate from western Madagascar, and to infer their underlying behavioral mechanisms. Tissue samples
for DNA extraction were obtained from a total of 140 individuals that were captured in two subpopulations about 3 km apart.
Analyses of mtDNA variability at the population level revealed very low levels of genetic variability combined with high haplotype
diversity, which is indicative of a recent population bottleneck. We found no evidence for spatial clustering of same-sexed
individuals with identical haplotypes within each of two subpopulations but significant clustering between them. Thus, a high
level of local subpopulation differentiation was observed (F
ST = 0.230). The sexes showed equal variances in the number of individuals representing each haplotype, as well as equal levels
of aggregation of identical haplotypes. Hence, both sexes disperse from their natal area, one pattern expected in a pair-living
mammal. There is a possibility of behavioral and social flexibility in this species, however, because we documented pronounced
differences in density and sex ratio between the two subpopulations, suggesting that single study sites or populations may
not be representative of a given local population or even species. |
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Keywords: | Monogamy Genetic structure Dispersal Bottleneck mtDNA Cheirogaleus medius Primates |
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