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Dispersal range analysis: quantifying individual variation in dispersal behaviour

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Abstract

A complete understanding of animal dispersal requires knowledge not only of its consequences at population and community levels, but also of the behavioural decisions made by dispersing individuals. Recent theoretical work has emphasised the importance of this dispersal process, particularly the phase in which individuals search the landscape for breeding opportunities. However, empirical advances are currently hampered by a lack of tools for quantifying these dispersal search tactics. Here, we review existing methods for quantifying movement that are appropriate for the dispersal search process, describe several new techniques that we developed for characterising movement and behaviour through an individual’s dispersal range, and illustrate their use with data from Australasian treecreepers (Climacteridae). We also describe how the quantitative parameters we discuss are calculated in a freely available computer software package that we designed. Specifically, we present methods for calculating the area searched during dispersal, search rate, thoroughness, intensity, philopatry of search, timing of exploration, and surreptitiousness. When we applied this approach to the study of dispersal in treecreepers, we found that search area, philopatry and timing of exploration showed the greatest individual variation. Furthermore, search area, search rate, thoroughness and philopatry of search were all correlated, suggesting they may be useful parameters for further research on the causes and consequences of different dispersal search tactics. Finally, we make recommendations for modifying radiotracking protocols to facilitate more accurate assessment of individual variation in the dispersal process, and suggest future directions for this type of empirical work at the interface of population and behavioural ecology.

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Acknowledgements

We particularly wish to thank S.H. Jenkins for guidance in developing DRAP and the assessment corridor method. S.M. Flaxman, L.N. Gilson, K.M. Gordon, J. Keramaty, N. Spang, and L.H. Yang helped us radiotrack dispersing treecreepers. P.D. Doerr, S.H. Jenkins, I. Hanski and two anonymous reviewers provided comments that improved the manuscript. Our research on treecreeper dispersal tactics was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (Graduate Fellowship and DEB-9972743 to Erik D. Doerr), National Geographic Society, American Museum of Natural History, American Ornithologists’ Union, The Explorers Club, Sigma Xi, Animal Behavior Society, and the University of Nevada-Reno.

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  1. Erik D. Doerr

    Present address: School of Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management, Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV, 89557, USA

    Erik D. Doerr & Veronica A. J. Doerr

  2. School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia

    Erik D. Doerr & Veronica A. J. Doerr

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Correspondence to Erik D. Doerr.

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Doerr, E.D., Doerr, V.A.J. Dispersal range analysis: quantifying individual variation in dispersal behaviour. Oecologia 142, 1–10 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-004-1707-z

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