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 characteristics for 271 wolves during 1998–2012. Wolves with the shortest dispersal distances established in natal-like habitat types more than expected by chance, whereas wolves that dispersed longer distances did not show NHBD. The pattern was consistent for male and female wolves, with females showing more NHBD than males. Chances to detect NHBD increased with the size of habitat defined as available. This highlights the importance of considering the biological characteristics of the studied species when defining habitat availability. Our methodological approach can prove useful to inform conservation and management to identify habitats to be selected by reintroduced or naturally expanding populations.
Highlights
Natal dispersal influences population dynamics, spatial distribution, genetic structure and the social organization of individuals [1], and plays an important role in the viability of natural populations [2]
Taking advantage of the detailed, long-term monitoring of the 3 Scandinavian wolf population, we tested the natal habitat-biased dispersal’ (NHBD) hypothesis, i.e. we examined if dispersing wolves were influenced by their natal habitat characteristics when choosing a new territory to settle within the distribution range during 1998–2012 in central Scandinavia
There was no evidence of NHBD for medium and long dispersers, with long-dispersing males showing the strongest selection against their natal habitat
Summary
Natal dispersal influences population dynamics, spatial distribution, genetic structure and the social organization of individuals [1], and plays an important role in the viability of natural populations [2]. Natal dispersal, defined as the movement from the natal area to the site of first potential breeding, most often occurs in the sub-adult stage in birds and mammals [3,4]. During this process, intraspecific competition, mate choice and habitat quality are determinants for each individual’s settlement decision [5]. Cues from early life stages obtained in the natal area may help dispersers to quickly estimate the habitat quality and suitability of future settlement locations [9,10]. Studies on NHBD in mammals are scarce and have been mostly focused on rodents (e.g. [15])
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