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Spatial and temporal variation in natal dispersal by E urasian lynx in S candinavia
Author(s) -
Samelius G.,
Andrén H.,
Liberg O.,
Linnell J. D. C.,
Odden J.,
Ahlqvist P.,
Segerström P.,
Sköld K.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2011.00857.x
Subject(s) - biological dispersal , biology , ecology , range (aeronautics) , philopatry , zoology , home range , demography , habitat , population , materials science , sociology , composite material
Dispersal patterns are male biased in most mammals whereas the patterns are less clear within the genus L ynx (four species), with findings ranging from male biased dispersal to males and females dispersing equally far and with equal frequency. In this study, we examined various aspects of natal dispersal by E urasian lynx in S candinavia by comparing dispersal patterns of 120 radio‐marked lynx in two study areas in S weden ( S arek and B ergslagen) and two study areas in N orway ( H edmark and A kershus). We found that male lynx dispersed farther than female lynx with mean dispersal distances of 148 and 47 km for male and female lynx that were followed to the age of 18 months or older (range = 32–428 and 3–215 km for each sex, respectively). In fact, female lynx often established home ranges that overlapped or partly overlapped that of their mothers. Similarly, the dispersal rate was greater among male lynx than among female lynx, with 100% of the males dispersing compared with 65% of the females dispersing. This study showed that dispersal patterns by lynx in Scandinavia were male biased, with (1) male lynx dispersing farther and more frequently than female lynx and (2) female lynx often settling near their natal areas. These patterns, in turn, will have large impact on gene flow and the ability by lynx to colonize new and formerly occupied areas.