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. 1993 Apr 30;260(5108):670-2.
doi: 10.1126/science.8480176.

Social structure of pilot whales revealed by analytical DNA profiling

B Amos  1 , C Schlötterer, D Tautz
Affiliations

Social structure of pilot whales revealed by analytical DNA profiling

B Amos et al. Science. .

Abstract

Long-finned pilot whales swim in large, extremely cohesive social groups known as pods. Molecular typing revealed that pod members form a single extended family. Mature males neither disperse from nor mate within their natal pods, a situation unusual for mammals. Such behavior could be explained in terms of inclusive fitness benefits gained by adult males helping the large number of female relatives with which they swim.

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