NATAL NONDISPERSAL IN KANGAROO RATS
Abstract
This study concerns two aspects of dispersal in natural populations that increase the genetic relatedness of animals that commonly interact, natal philopatry and population viscosity. It suggests that natal philopatry, which prolongs associations between close relatives, should be more prevalent when essential resources available on the natal home range are unlikely to be acquired elsewhere by juveniles and when saturated ecological conditions preclude frequent dispersal opportunities. This work also demonstrates that some natural populations are highly viscous, a feature that contributes to generally higher levels of relatedness within populations, and thus suggests that population viscosity deserves more attention in treatments of inclusive fitness than it has had in the past.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Biology
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