Dominance rank-associated immune gene expression is widespread, sex-specific, and a precursor to high social status in wild male baboons
A. J. Lea, M. Y. Akinyi, R. Nyakundi, P. Mareri, F. Nyundo, T. Kariuki, S. Alberts, E. Archie, J. Tung
The paper examines how social status affects immune gene expression in wild baboons, finding sex-specific patterns where high-status males show increased pro-inflammatory gene expression, which precedes rank attainment.
bioRxiv · Jul 10, 2018Evolutionary Biology