Density and genetic relatedness increase dispersal distance in a subsocial organism

Bitume, Ellyn;Bonte, Dries B.;Ronce, Ophélie;Bach, F.;Nieberding, Caroline;et.al.
(2013) Ecology Letters — (2013)

Files

ele12057.pdf
  • Restricted Access
  • Adobe PDF
  • 367.31 KB
Request a copy

Details

Authors
  • Bitume, EllynUCLouvain
    Author
  • Bonte, Dries B.Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, Belgium
    Author
  • Ronce, OphélieUniversité Montpellier 2, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution
    Author
  • Bach, F.Université Montpellier 2, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution
    Author
  • Nieberding, CarolineUCLouvain
    Author
Show more
Abstract
Although dispersal distance plays a major role in determining whether organisms will reach new habitats, empirical data on the environmental factors that affect dispersal distance are lacking. Population density and kin competition are two factors theorised to increase dispersal distance. Using the two-spotted spider mite as a model species, we altered these two environmental conditions and measured the mean dispersal distance of individuals, as well as other attributes of the dispersal kernel. We find that both density and relatedness in the release patch increase dispersal distance. Relatedness, but not density, changes the shape of the dispersal kernel towards a more skewed and leptokurtic shape including a longer 'fat-tail'. This is the first experimental demonstration that kin competition can shape the whole distribution of dispersal distances in a population, and thus affect the geographical spread of dispersal phenotypes.
Affiliations

Citations

  • APA
  • Chicago
  • FWB

Bitume, E., Bonte, D. B., Ronce, O., Bach, F., Flaven, E., Oliveri, I., & Nieberding, C. (2013). Density and genetic relatedness increase dispersal distance in a subsocial organism. Ecology Letters. Published. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12057 (Original work published 2013)