Patterns of Wolf Dispersal Respond to Harvest Density across an Island Complex.

ABSTRACT: Wolves are highly mobile predators and can disperse across a variety of habitats and over long distances. However, less is known about dispersal capabilities across water and among islands. The biogeography of island systems fosters spatially structured local populations, and their degree of connectivity may influence the dynamics and long-term viability of the regional population. We sought to quantify wolf dispersal rate, distance, and dispersal sex bias throughout Prince of Wales Island, a 6670 km² island in southeast Alaska, and the surrounding islands that constitute the wildlife management unit (9025 km²). We also investigated patterns of dispersal in relation to hunting and trapping intensity and wolf population density. We used DNA data collected during 2012-2

SUBMITTER: Roffler GH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10885989 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature