Limited sex bias in the fine-scale spatial genetic structure of the eastern grey kangaroo and its relationship to habitat
Linda E. Neaves A B F , Michael W. Roberts C D , Catherine A. Herbert E and Mark D. B. Eldridge A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
B Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK.
C Endeavour Energy, PO Box 811, Seven Hills, NSW 1730, Australia.
D Department of Biological Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
E Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: lneaves@gmail.com
Australian Journal of Zoology 65(1) 33-44 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO16051
Submitted: 27 July 2016 Accepted: 2 May 2017 Published: 6 June 2017
Abstract
Animals exhibit a range of dispersal strategies that impact on the organisation of individuals and can be influenced by both the environment and population demography. We examined the fine-scale spatial genetic structure and patterns of relatedness in 139 adult eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) to test predictions of male-biased dispersal and female philopatry in comparison with previous studies in different environments in the species’ distributions. We found evidence of limited differences between the sexes, with little spatial genetic structure in both males and females. The levels of relatedness among females in close proximity were not indicative of close relatives (e.g. mother–daughter) and there was no evidence of matrilineal structure. Among males, there was little evidence of genetic structure. Although our results are, in general, consistent with those of previous studies, we found study-specific differences in the extent of genetic structure that appear to be related to differences in environmental and demographic conditions across the distribution. This highlights the need for additional research focussing on populations from a range of environmental conditions.
Additional keywords: female philopatry, gene flow, group formation, marsupial, sex-biased dispersal.
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