Hyena Project
@hyenaproject.bsky.social
We have been studying the behavior + ecology of the 8 clans of spotted hyenas in the Ngorongoro Crater since 1996.
See also hyena-project.com
See also hyena-project.com
Our findings reveal how social structure and non-random dispersal generate hidden genetic structure and result in heterogenous rates of adaptive evolution.
Led by the *brilliant* Kasha Strickland!
#longterm
Led by the *brilliant* Kasha Strickland!
#longterm
November 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Our findings reveal how social structure and non-random dispersal generate hidden genetic structure and result in heterogenous rates of adaptive evolution.
Led by the *brilliant* Kasha Strickland!
#longterm
Led by the *brilliant* Kasha Strickland!
#longterm
This demonstrates adaptive benefits of gene flow and no evidence for selection against males from outside the Crater.
Finally, additive genetic variance in fitness differed among clans. This is cool because it shows that evolutionary potential is unevenly distributed across the population.
3/4
Finally, additive genetic variance in fitness differed among clans. This is cool because it shows that evolutionary potential is unevenly distributed across the population.
3/4
November 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM
This demonstrates adaptive benefits of gene flow and no evidence for selection against males from outside the Crater.
Finally, additive genetic variance in fitness differed among clans. This is cool because it shows that evolutionary potential is unevenly distributed across the population.
3/4
Finally, additive genetic variance in fitness differed among clans. This is cool because it shows that evolutionary potential is unevenly distributed across the population.
3/4
The differences were best explained by asymmetric dispersal between clans. This indicates that social processes drive population stratification.
We also found that hyenas with more foreigner ancestry (i.e., from outside the #Ngorongoro Crater) had higher fitness.
2/4
We also found that hyenas with more foreigner ancestry (i.e., from outside the #Ngorongoro Crater) had higher fitness.
2/4
November 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The differences were best explained by asymmetric dispersal between clans. This indicates that social processes drive population stratification.
We also found that hyenas with more foreigner ancestry (i.e., from outside the #Ngorongoro Crater) had higher fitness.
2/4
We also found that hyenas with more foreigner ancestry (i.e., from outside the #Ngorongoro Crater) had higher fitness.
2/4