Evolution of positive and negative density-dependent dispersal.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the evolution of density-dependent dispersal strategies has been a major challenge for evolutionary ecologists. Some existing models suggest that selection should favour positive and others negative density-dependence in dispersal. Here, we develop a general model that shows how and why selection may shift from positive to negative density-dependence in response to key ecological factors, in particular the temporal stability of the environment. We find that in temporally stable environments, particularly with low dispersal costs and large group sizes, habitat heterogeneity selects for negative density-dependent dispersal, whereas in temporally variable environments, particularly with high dispersal costs and small group sizes, habitat heterogeneity selects for positive densit

SUBMITTER: Rodrigues AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4132684 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature