Genetic variation in social mammals: the marmot model [Variation génétique chez les mammifères sociaux : le modèle de la marmotte].

Résumé

The social substructure and the distribution of genetic variation among colonies of yellow-bellied marmots, when analyzed as an evolutionary system, suggests that this substructure enchances the intercolony variance and retards the fixation of genetic variation. This result supports a traditional theory of gradual evolution rather than recent theories suggesting accelerated evolution in social mammals.