Silva, Maria Joana Ferreira daTralma, PaulaColmonero-Costeira, IvoCravo-Mota, MarianaFarassi, RassinaHammond, PhilippaLewis-Bevan, LynnBamford, Marion K.Biro, DoraLüdecke, TinaMathe, JacintoBobe, RenéCapelli, CristianMartínez, Felipe I.Carvalho, Susana2025-07-092025-07-092025-05-160164-0291http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/27360Dispersal behavior influences gene flow and the spatial distribution of genetic diversity, which is crucial for a species' evolutionary trajectory and population persistence under environmental changes. We used gene flow as a proxy to investigate dispersal patterns in the grayfoot chacma baboon (Papio ursinus griseipes) in Gorongosa National Park (GNP), central Mozambique. The baboons inhabit a mosaic landscape with a seasonally variable environment. Thirty-two years ago, GNP was the epicenter of a major war that severely reduced apex predators, resulting in limited mammalian predation on baboons. We aimed to characterize genetic diversity, examine the extent and direction of sex-biased gene flow at different time frames and investigate changes in population size and recent migration events. We collected 121 non-invasive DNA samples and analyzed uni- and bi-parentally inherited markers, comprising mitochondrial DNA, autosomal and Y-linked microsatellites, at two geographic locations (GNP and Catap & uacute; Forest Reserve) 150 km apart. We observed high genetic diversity and no evidence of a recent population decline. We identified six mitochondrial haplotypes, including a genetically distinct one in Catapu Forest Reserve. We found molecular evidence for historical and current male-mediated gene flow and female philopatry. Our results highlight the resilience of dispersal patterns in Papio sp. in diverse and seasonally variable ecosystems which have been disturbed by anthropogenic activities.engMale-biased dispersalSouthern AfricaZambezi RiverWarfareBehavioral fexibilityjournal article10.1007/s10764-025-00494-21573-8604