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Short dispersal distance of males in a wild white‐handed gibbon ( Hylobates lar ) population
Author(s) -
Matsudaira Kazunari,
Ishida Takafumi,
Malaivijitd Suchinda,
Reichard Ulrich H.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.23603
Subject(s) - biological dispersal , biology , mantel test , hylobates , population , microsatellite , white (mutation) , haplotype , zoology , genetic distance , geographical distance , demography , genetics , ecology , genotype , genetic variation , allele , sociology , gene
Objectives It has long been recognized that in gibbons both sexes disperse from the natal group. However, the fate of dispersed individuals was rarely documented. Here we provide the first detailed information on sex differences in dispersal patterns by analyzing the spatial genetic structure of a well‐known white‐handed gibbon ( Hylobates lar ) population. Materials and methods Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y‐chromosomal haplotypes, and autosomal microsatellite genotypes were determined for individuals of the Mo Singto study site, Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. Mantel tests for the three genetic marker types were performed for 17 gibbon groups comprising 23 adult males and 18 adult females. Results Significant positive Mantel correlations were observed for spatial distance and both autosomal microsatellite‐based as well as Y‐chromosomal haplotype‐based genetic distance among adult males. Neighboring adult males tended to be genetically related and share Y‐chromosomal haplotypes. Conversely, no significant Mantel correlations were observed either in autosomal microsatellites or mtDNA among adult females. Discussion Our results confirm, at a genetic level, hypotheses from long‐term demographic observations that white‐handed gibbon males of the Mo Singto population primarily disperse into adjacent groups. Instead, females disperse more opportunistically either to adjacent or more distant groups. This sex‐specific difference reflects an apparent greater tolerance between males than between females. The higher tolerance of adult males allows the formation of stable multimale groups and facilitates male dispersal into an adjacent group. Stable multifemale groups have never been documented for white‐handed gibbons probably due to feeding competition between females.