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).