A Highly Dynamic Network
Throughout the study, core unit compositions remained relatively stable
with a total of nine males and one female dispersing between units
within the band over the 21-month study period in six dispersal events
(i.e., two dispersal events involved the parallel transfer of males).
Core unit associations varied over time, and clan composition changed
from sample period one to two. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed
that, compared to period one, two clans were still evident in period two
but one core unit (Newtonia) had switched association between clans. In
addition, the formation of the AMU, led to this unit forming its own
branch in loose association with the two main clans (Fig. 1). The
results of the permutation tests for preferred relationships between
core units showed significance for sample period one, and not for sample
period two (Sample period one: CVObs = 0.484,
CVRand = 0.44, p = 0.014; Sample period two:
CVObs = 0.150, CVRand = 0.150, p
= 0.8487). This suggests that core units demonstrated less preference
when associating with other units in sample period two. Nonetheless,
network metrics between sample period one and two were largely similar
with little change in the averages for affinity, strength, centrality
(Table S1). Most notably, we saw a decrease in the clustering of units
between the two years (sample period 1: CC = 0.48, sample period 2: CC =
0.31).