Interplay between Allee effects and collective movement in metapopulations

Population growth can be positively or negatively dependent on density. Therefore, the distribution pattern of individuals in a patchy environment can greatly affect the growth of each subpopulation and thereby of the metapopulation. When population growth presents positive density‐dependence (Allee effect), the distribution pattern becomes crucial, as small populations have an increased extinction risk. The way in which individuals move between patches largely determines the distribution pattern and thereby the population dynamics. Collective movement, in particular, should be expected to increase the potential number of colonisers and therefore the probability of colonising success. Here, we use mathematical modelling (differential equations and stochastic simulations) to study how collective movement can influence metapopulation dynamics when Allee effects are at stake. The models are inspired by the two‐spotted spider mite, a phytophagous pest of recognised agricultural importance. This sub‐social mite displays trail laying/following behaviour that can provoke collective movement. Moreover, experimental evidence suggests that it is subject to Allee effects. In the first part of this study we present a single‐species population growth model incorporating Allee effects, and study its properties. In the second part, this growth model is integrated into a larger simulation model consisting of a set of interconnected patches, in which the individuals move from one patch to the other either independently or collectively. Our results show that collective movement is more advantageous than independent dispersal only when Allee effects are present and strong enough. Furthermore they provide a theoretical framework that allows the quantification of the interplay between Allee effects and collective movement.