Fine-scale spatial structuring as an inbreeding avoidance mechanism in the social skink Egernia stokesii

M.G. Gardner; S.S. Godfrey; A. L. Fenner; S. C. Donnellan; C. M. Bull

doi:10.1071/ZO12089

Back

Fine-scale spatial structuring as an inbreeding avoidance mechanism in the social skink Egernia stokesii

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Fine-scale spatial structuring as an inbreeding avoidance mechanism in the social skink Egernia stokesii

M.G. Gardner, S.S. Godfrey, A. L. Fenner, S. C. Donnellan and C. M. Bull

Australian Journal of Zoology, Vol.60(4), pp.272-277

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO12089

Files and links (1)

url

Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView

Abstract

Egernia stokesii is a monogamous and group-living species of Australian scincid lizard. We used genotype data from 10 microsatellite loci to examine evidence for sex-biased dispersal and kin-based discrimination as mechanisms for inbreeding avoidance of E. stokesii within seven rocky outcrops in the southern Flinders Ranges of South Australia. We also examined the relatedness of individuals observed using the same crevice within groups. We found no evidence for sex-biased dispersal at these sites, but found that adult lizards of the opposite sex observed using the same crevice were less related to each other than expected by chance. Our results suggest a behavioural mechanism for minimising inbreeding in large related aggregations of this species.

Details

Title: Fine-scale spatial structuring as an inbreeding avoidance mechanism in the social skink Egernia stokesii
Authors/Creators: M.G. Gardner (Author/Creator) - South Australian Museum
S.S. Godfrey (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
A. L. Fenner (Author/Creator) - Flinders University
S. C. Donnellan (Author/Creator) - South Australian Museum
C. M. Bull (Author/Creator) - Flinders University
Publication Details: Australian Journal of Zoology, Vol.60(4), pp.272-277
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Identifiers: 991005542001007891
Copyright: © 2012 CSIRO
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites

Metrics

42 Record Views

16 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.683 Reptile Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Zoology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science