Evol Ecol Res 1: 911-921 (1999)     Full PDF if your library subscribes.

Natal versus breeding dispersal: Evolution in a model system

Karin Johst1 and Roland Brandl2

1Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle Ltd, Department of Ecological Modelling, Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig and 2Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle Ltd, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, D-06120 Halle, Germany

Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed.
e-mail: kajo@oesa.ufz.de

ABSTRACT

Dispersal may be age-specific and is often biased towards juveniles. Some explanations for this pattern assume special social or genetic advantages for juveniles. Using a model, we studied the competition of individuals using different dispersal strategies characterized by the magnitude and mode of dispersal as well as the age class where dispersal occurs. We found that the evolution of natal versus breeding dispersal is influenced by the age structure of the population. Details of population regulation and environmental fluctuations are also important because they influence the distribution of age classes. Our model shows that natal dispersal can be favoured over a wide range of conditions, either as a pure strategy or in combination with breeding dispersal, even without assuming special advantages for dispersing juveniles.

Keywords: age structure, density-dependence, dispersal strategies, spatially structured model.

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        © 1999 Karin Johst. All EER articles are copyrighted by their authors. All authors endorse, permit and license Evolutionary Ecology Ltd. to grant its subscribing institutions/libraries the copying privileges specified below without additional consideration or payment to them or to Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. These endorsements, in writing, are on file in the office of Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. Consult authors for permission to use any portion of their work in derivative works, compilations or to distribute their work in any commercial manner.

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