Sex-biased dispersal in African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus

摘要: Sex differences in African wild dog dispersal behaviour have been described variously as strongly female biased to unbiased. Dispersal from natal home ranges reproductive was recorded over 5 years eight study packs a free-ranging population of dogs northern Botswana. Analysis sex based on (1) age dispersers, (2) dispersing group size, and (3) distance. distance measured by (i) the between arithmetic centres range locations, (ii) spatial association (contiguous versus disjunct), (iii) pair-wise comparison distances males females establishing together. Males this dispersed later, larger groups further than females. These results contrast with earlier reports for show that are more spatially philopatric sex. This pattern sex-biased is evaluated relation two current, alternative but not mutually exclusive hypotheses: inbreeding avoidance competition mating opportunities. All both sexes emigrated when presence their opposite parent. Despite frequent opportunities, no mated close relatives (r≥0.5). The consequences consistent hypotheses, opportunities hypothesis supported only within context indicative avoidance.