No place like home? A test of the natal habitat-biased dispersal hypothesis in Scandinavian wolves.

ABSTRACT: Natal dispersal is an important mechanism for the viability of populations. The influence of local conditions or experience gained in the natal habitat could improve fitness if dispersing individuals settle in an area with similar habitat characteristics. This process, defined as 'natal habitat-biased dispersal' (NHBD), has been used to explain distribution patterns in large carnivores, but actual studies evaluating it are rare. We tested whether grey wolf Canis lupus territory establishment was influenced by the habitat characteristics of the natal territory using the long-term monitoring of the Scandinavian wolf population. We paired the locations of natal and established territories, accounted for available habitats along the dispersing route, and compared their habitat character

SUBMITTER: Sanz-Perez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6304128 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature