title: Genetic integration of local dispersal and exploratory behaviour in a wild bird.
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.
authors: 1] Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, BE-2020 Antwerp, Belgium [2] Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK [3].
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Korsten
authors: Thijs
authors: T
authors: van Overveld
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Adriaensen
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Matthysen
mesh_terms: D025041:Animal Migration / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D001530:Belgium; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D040582:Inheritance Patterns / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D010375:Pedigree