2025/05/16 by María Joana Ferreira da Silva, Paula Tralma, Ivo Colmonero‐Costeira +12 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Animal Genetics and Reproduction #CRISPR and Genetic Engineering #Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s10764-025-00494-2
openalex publication_date 2025/05/16 · openalex created_date 2025/05/17 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Abstract Dispersal behavior influences gene flow and the spatial distribution of genetic diversity, which is crucial for a species' evolutionary trajectory and population persistence under environmental changes. We used gene flow as a proxy to investigate dispersal patterns in the grayfoot chacma baboon ( Papio ursinus griseipes ) in Gorongosa National Park (GNP), central Mozambique. The baboons inhabit a mosaic landscape with a seasonally variable environment. Thirty-two years ago, GNP was the epicenter of a major war that severely reduced apex predators, resulting in limited mammalian predation on baboons. We aimed to characterize genetic diversity, examine the extent and direction of sex-biased gene flow at different time frames and investigate changes in population size and recent migration events. We collected 121 non-invasive DNA samples and analyzed uni- and bi-parentally inherited markers, comprising mitochondrial DNA, autosomal and Y-linked microsatellites, at two geographic locations (GNP and Catapú Forest Reserve) 150 km apart. We observed high genetic diversity and no evidence of a recent population decline. We identified six mitochondrial haplotypes, including a genetically distinct one in Catapu Forest Reserve. We found molecular evidence for historical and current male-mediated gene flow and female philopatry. Our results highlight the resilience of dispersal patterns in Papio sp . in diverse and seasonally variable ecosystems which have been disturbed by anthropogenic activities.