Density-dependent dispersal and habitat use in size-structured populations: An experiment in wild Trinidadian guppies.

ABSTRACT: Individual responses to density perturbations often depend on individual size or stage, and can include demographic changes (survival, reproduction, growth) and spatial responses (dispersal, habitat shift). While these responses are well characterized, their interaction is seldom considered. Size-specific effects of density can result from size- or stage-specific spatial responses mediated by dominance interactions: subordinate individuals might suffer disproportionately from overcrowding conditions if displaced from high-quality habitats by dominant individuals. To investigate this, we performed an experiment in wild guppies where we observed demographic and spatial responses to density manipulations and tested for an interaction between them. We found recruitment, growth, and female surv

SUBMITTER: De Bona S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12272143 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature