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Dispersal syndromes in challenging environments: A cross‐species experiment
Author(s) -
Cote Julien,
Dahirel Maxime,
Schtickzelle Nicolas,
Altermatt Florian,
Ansart Armelle,
Blanchet Simon,
Chaine Alexis S.,
De Laender Frederik,
De Raedt Jonathan,
Haegeman Bart,
Jacob Staffan,
Kaltz Oliver,
Laurent Estelle,
Little Chelsea J.,
Madec Luc,
Manzi Florent,
Masier Stefano,
Pellerin Felix,
Pennekamp Frank,
Therry Lieven,
Vong Alexandre,
Winandy Laurane,
Bonte Dries,
Fronhofer Emanuel A.,
Legrand Delphine
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.14124
Subject(s) - biological dispersal , metacommunity , ecology , biology , context (archaeology) , ecosystem , population , demography , sociology , paleontology
Abstract Dispersal is a central biological process tightly integrated into life‐histories, morphology, physiology and behaviour. Such associations, or syndromes, are anticipated to impact the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of spatially structured populations, and cascade into ecosystem processes. As for dispersal on its own, these syndromes are likely neither fixed nor random, but conditional on the experienced environment. We experimentally studied how dispersal propensity varies with individuals' phenotype and local environmental harshness using 15 species ranging from protists to vertebrates. We reveal a general phenotypic dispersal syndrome across studied species, with dispersers being larger, more active and having a marked locomotion‐oriented morphology and a strengthening of the link between dispersal and some phenotypic traits with environmental harshness. Our proof‐of‐concept metacommunity model further reveals cascading effects of context‐dependent syndromes on the local and regional organisation of functional diversity. Our study opens new avenues to advance our understanding of the functioning of spatially structured populations, communities and ecosystems.