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Genetic integration of local dispersal and exploratory behaviour in a wild bird

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  • Peter Korsten

    (Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp
    Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh
    Behavioural Ecology and Self-organization, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, PO Box 11103, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Thijs van Overveld

    (Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp)

  • Frank Adriaensen

    (Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp)

  • Erik Matthysen

    (Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp)

Abstract

Dispersal is a major determinant of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of natural populations. Individuals differ greatly in the likelihood and distance of dispersal, but it is generally unclear to what extent intrinsic, possibly genetic, differences contribute. Here we present the first explicit empirical evidence for genetic coupling of local dispersal and exploratory behaviour, a key ‘animal personality’ trait. Using relatedness data from a multi-generation pedigree of free-living great tits (Parus major), we find quantitative genetic variation for both the distance of local dispersal within our study area and the rate at which individuals explore a novel environment. Moreover, we find a strongly positive genetic correlation between local dispersal distance and exploration rate, despite a weak and non-significant phenotypic correlation. These findings demonstrate a potentially important behavioural mechanism underlying heritable differences in local dispersal and highlight the potential for concerted evolution of dispersal and animal personality in response to selection.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Korsten & Thijs van Overveld & Frank Adriaensen & Erik Matthysen, 2013. "Genetic integration of local dispersal and exploratory behaviour in a wild bird," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3362
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3362
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    Cited by:

    1. Gabrielle Dubuc-Messier & Denis Réale & Philippe Perret & Anne Charmantier, 2017. "Environmental heterogeneity and population differences in blue tits personality traits," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 28(2), pages 448-459.
    2. Jamie Dunning & Terry Burke & Alex Hoi Hang Chan & Heung Ying Janet Chik & Tim Evans & Julia Schroeder, 2023. "Opposite-sex associations are linked with annual fitness, but sociality is stable over lifetime," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 34(3), pages 315-324.
    3. Hannah A. Edwards & Terry Burke & Hannah L. Dugdale, 2017. "Repeatable and heritable behavioural variation in a wild cooperative breeder," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 28(3), pages 668-676.
    4. Paula H Marjamäki & Hannah L Dugdale & Deborah A Dawson & Robbie A McDonald & Richard Delahay & Terry Burke & Alastair J Wilson, 2019. "Individual variation and the source-sink group dynamics of extra-group paternity in a social mammal," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 30(2), pages 301-312.

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