Parentage assignments from a genetic pedigree of a wild population of banded mongooses in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, 2000-2019

DNA was extracted from tail tip samples and genotyped for 35‒ 43 microsatellite loci. Parentage was primarily determined using the MASTERBAYES program. As well as individual genotypes, the program used phenotypic predictors (whether or not a female was recorded as giving birth, if a male was in the offspring’s natal group prior to birth, and the age and quadratic age of both males and females). A 9-generation deep genetic pedigree was constructed from which maternity and paternity assignments were calculated. To compile this dataset, we extracted adults from the pedigree who were alive in our population between 2000 and 2019, and for whom parentage assignments were >=0.9 (for offspring that were genotyped using the full panel of 43 microsatellite markers), or >=0.95 (for offspring that were genotyped using the subset panel of 35 microsatellite markers). This data was used to calculate lifetime reproductive success for individuals in the population who were exposed to conflict with rival groups to determine the fitness costs and benefits of intergroup conflict.