The ability of individuals to assess population density influences the evolution of emigration propensity and dispersal distance

JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY

卷:282

Article

Poethke, Hans Joachim¹  Gros, Andreas^1,2  Hovestadt, Thomas^1,3 

[1] Univ Wurzburg, Field Stn Fabrikschleichach, D-96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany

[2] New England Complex Syst Inst, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA

[3] Museum Natl Hist Nat, CNRS, UMR 7179, F-91800 Brunoy, France

关键词: Density dependent;    Kin-competition;    Distance-dependent dispersal cost;    Metapopulation;    Individual-based model;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jtbi.2011.05.012

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

We analyze the simultaneous evolution of emigration and settlement decisions for actively dispersing species differing in their ability to assess population density. Using an individual-based model we simulate dispersal as a multi-step (patch to patch) movement in a world consisting of habitat patches surrounded by a hostile matrix. Each such step is associated with the same mortality risk. Our simulations show that individuals following an informed strategy, where emigration (and settlement) probability depends on local population density, evolve a lower (natal) emigration propensity but disperse over significantly larger distances - i.e. postpone settlement longer - than individuals performing density-independent emigration. This holds especially when variation in environmental conditions is spatially correlated. Both effects can be traced to the informed individuals' ability to better exploit existing heterogeneity in reproductive chances. Yet, already moderate distance-dependent dispersal costs prevent the evolution of multi-step (long-distance) dispersal, irrespective of the dispersal strategy. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free