Noninvasive genetic approaches continue to improve studies in molecular ecology,
conservation genetics and related disciplines such as forensics and epidemiology …

For animals living in mixed-sex social groups, females who form strong social bonds with
other females live longer and have higher offspring survival [1–3]. These bonds are highly …

The use of faecal DNA, although a promising tool for the population monitoring of mammals,
has not yet become a fully exploited and standard practice, mainly because low target DNA …

Stress is a major cause of poor health and mortality in humans and other social mammals.
Close social bonds buffer stress, however much of the underlying physiological mechanism …

Humans maintain extensive social ties of varying preferences, providing a range of
opportunities for beneficial cooperative exchange that may promote collective action and our …

Optimal foraging theory predicts that predators are selective when faced with abundant prey,
but become less picky when prey gets sparse. Insectivorous bats in temperate regions are …

Knowledge on the population history of endangered species is critical for conservation, but
whole-genome data on chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) is geographically sparse. Here, we …

Genetic analyses using museum specimens and ancient DNA from fossil samples are
becoming increasingly important in phylogenetic and especially population genetic studies …

Bat guano is a relatively untapped reservoir of information, having great utility as a DNA
source because it is often available at roosts even when bats are not and is an easy type of …

Monitoring population size and growth over time is vital for the conservation of endangered
species. Mountain gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei remain in two small populations that …