Research overview: male-biased dispersal and coalition formation in lions

Young male lions leave their natal pride and enter a nomadic phase, often forming coalitions with brothers or peers before attempting to take over a pride. This overview surveys the process of male dispersal in lions, the timing of departure around pride takeovers or maturation, and the cooperative coalitions that improve a male's chances of acquiring and holding breeding tenure. It reviews how coalition size affects tenure length and reproductive success and how dispersal reduces inbreeding within prides. The review connects dispersal to the lion's mating system and reproductive skew among coalition males. Understanding male dispersal and coalition dynamics is fundamental to interpreting lion social structure, paternity, and population genetics.