Genetic evidence for sex‐biased dispersal in resident bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus)

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2004.02137.x
• Publication Date: 2004-05-07T11:16:41Z
• Authors: Luciana M. Möller; Luciano B. Behere...
• Keywords: Philopatry; Bottlenose dolphin

Abstract In most mammals males usually disperse before breeding, while females remain in their natal group or area. However, odontocete cetaceans behavioural and/or genetic evidence from populations of four species indicate that both and site. For coastal resident bottlenose dolphins field data suggest sexes are philopatric to Assignment tests analyses relatedness based on microsatellite markers were used investigate this hypothesis dolphins, Tursiops aduncus , two small southeastern Australia. Mean corrected assignment mean higher for than males. Only 8% had a lower probability average being born locally compared 33% Our contradict the bisexual philopatry site these not unusual amongst mammals, with more dispersing sex.