Kinship dynamics data for banded mongoose, spotted hyena, chimpanzee and yellow baboons
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This dataset is available under the terms of the Open Government Licence
The data in this dataset are derived from long-term, individual-based field studies of wild populations of four mammal species: banded mongoose (Mungos mungo), spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), and yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus). The data contain demographic records (births, deaths, group membership), behavioural observations, and genetic parentage data to construct pedigrees and estimate local relatedness among group members. Across all four species, the data are structured as longitudinal, individual-level records ("individual-years"), and include; individual identity, sex, and age (z scored), group size by year and estimated local relatedness from pedigree.
Banded mongooses were studied in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, as part of the Banded Mongoose Research Project. The dataset covers the period 2000-2019 and includes a population of approximately 197-326 individuals living in 6-13 social groups per year. Individuals are uniquely marked and observed frequently (every 1-4 days), resulting in highly resolved life-history data including dates of birth and death, group membership, and reproductive events. Parentage is assigned using genetic data for the majority of individuals.
Spotted hyena data were collected from eight clans in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, as part of the Ngorongoro Hyena Project (since 1996). Individuals are identified by unique spot patterns and monitored through near-daily observations. The dataset includes demographic and life-history information (age estimates, dispersal, survival) alongside genetic parentage assignments derived from microsatellite data. Clan sizes vary over time (mean c. 24-43 individuals).
Chimpanzee data derive from long-term studies of the North and South communities in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, conducted by the Taï Chimpanzee Project. Continuous behavioural and demographic observation has been conducted since 1985 (North) and 1997 (South). Group membership, births, deaths, and dispersal are inferred from direct observation, with maternity assigned behaviourally and confirmed genetically, and paternity inferred genetically. Group sizes range from approximately 10-42 adults.
Yellow baboon data come from the Amboseli Baboon Research Project in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, with data used here spanning from 1988 onwards. The study includes multiple social groups (mean ~5 per year) with group sizes ranging from 14 to 130 individuals. Individuals are monitored on a near-daily basis, with detailed records of births, deaths, dispersal, and group composition. Parentage is determined using long-term field observations and genetic analyses (microsatellite data).
Banded mongooses were studied in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, as part of the Banded Mongoose Research Project. The dataset covers the period 2000-2019 and includes a population of approximately 197-326 individuals living in 6-13 social groups per year. Individuals are uniquely marked and observed frequently (every 1-4 days), resulting in highly resolved life-history data including dates of birth and death, group membership, and reproductive events. Parentage is assigned using genetic data for the majority of individuals.
Spotted hyena data were collected from eight clans in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, as part of the Ngorongoro Hyena Project (since 1996). Individuals are identified by unique spot patterns and monitored through near-daily observations. The dataset includes demographic and life-history information (age estimates, dispersal, survival) alongside genetic parentage assignments derived from microsatellite data. Clan sizes vary over time (mean c. 24-43 individuals).
Chimpanzee data derive from long-term studies of the North and South communities in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, conducted by the Taï Chimpanzee Project. Continuous behavioural and demographic observation has been conducted since 1985 (North) and 1997 (South). Group membership, births, deaths, and dispersal are inferred from direct observation, with maternity assigned behaviourally and confirmed genetically, and paternity inferred genetically. Group sizes range from approximately 10-42 adults.
Yellow baboon data come from the Amboseli Baboon Research Project in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, with data used here spanning from 1988 onwards. The study includes multiple social groups (mean ~5 per year) with group sizes ranging from 14 to 130 individuals. Individuals are monitored on a near-daily basis, with detailed records of births, deaths, dispersal, and group composition. Parentage is determined using long-term field observations and genetic analyses (microsatellite data).
Publication date: 2026-10-14
Format
Comma-separated values (CSV)
Spatial information
Study area
Spatial representation type
Tabular (text)
Spatial reference system
WGS 84
Spatial resolution
100 metres
Temporal information
Temporal extent
2000-01-01 to 2019-12-31
Provenance & quality
This dataset was derived from long-term individual-based studies of four wild mammal populations. In each system, raw data consist of longitudinal demographic and behavioural observations, combined with genetic sampling used to infer parentage.
Field data collection involved repeated observations of individually identified animals within stable social groups. Across all study systems, individuals were uniquely identified using natural markings or artificial tags, allowing continuous tracking of life histories including birth (or estimated birth), death or disappearance, dispersal, and group membership. Observation intensity was high (typically near-daily or at least regular censuses), enabling reconstruction of annual group composition and individual life histories.
Genetic data (primarily microsatellite markers) were used, where available, to assign maternity and paternity. These genetic parentage assignments were integrated with observational records to construct multi-generational pedigrees for each population. In cases where genetic or observational data were incomplete (e.g. early-life mortality or immigrant individuals), parentage or age was estimated using established field-based criteria.
From these integrated demographic and pedigree data, annual datasets were constructed for each population. For each individual and year ("individual-year"), the following variables were derived: age (standardised), sex, group size, and estimated relatedness. Using these pedigrees, local relatedness was calculated between each individual to other members of their social group.
To enable comparative analyses across species, datasets were harmonised into a common structure with consistent variable definitions and temporal resolution (annual time steps). Age was standardised relative to age at maturity for modelling purposes, and records with insufficient information (e.g. unknown sex, age, or insufficient pedigree data) were excluded from downstream analyses.
The final dataset therefore represent processed, standardised, individual-level longitudinal data linking life-history, social structure, and genetic relatedness across four species, suitable for comparative analysis of age-related changes in local kin structure.
Field data collection involved repeated observations of individually identified animals within stable social groups. Across all study systems, individuals were uniquely identified using natural markings or artificial tags, allowing continuous tracking of life histories including birth (or estimated birth), death or disappearance, dispersal, and group membership. Observation intensity was high (typically near-daily or at least regular censuses), enabling reconstruction of annual group composition and individual life histories.
Genetic data (primarily microsatellite markers) were used, where available, to assign maternity and paternity. These genetic parentage assignments were integrated with observational records to construct multi-generational pedigrees for each population. In cases where genetic or observational data were incomplete (e.g. early-life mortality or immigrant individuals), parentage or age was estimated using established field-based criteria.
From these integrated demographic and pedigree data, annual datasets were constructed for each population. For each individual and year ("individual-year"), the following variables were derived: age (standardised), sex, group size, and estimated relatedness. Using these pedigrees, local relatedness was calculated between each individual to other members of their social group.
To enable comparative analyses across species, datasets were harmonised into a common structure with consistent variable definitions and temporal resolution (annual time steps). Age was standardised relative to age at maturity for modelling purposes, and records with insufficient information (e.g. unknown sex, age, or insufficient pedigree data) were excluded from downstream analyses.
The final dataset therefore represent processed, standardised, individual-level longitudinal data linking life-history, social structure, and genetic relatedness across four species, suitable for comparative analysis of age-related changes in local kin structure.
Licensing and constraints
This dataset is available under the terms of the Open Government Licence 
Correspondence/contact details
Other contacts
Publisher
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk
Rights holder
University of Exeter
Custodian
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk