Movements of dispersing flying squirrels in relation to siblings and parents |
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Authors: | Vesa Selonen Ilpo K Hanski |
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Institution: | (1) Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;(2) Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland |
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Abstract: | Knowledge of kin interactions can be informative in explaining the processes underlying dispersal. By dispersing, relatives
can avoid kin competition for resources or mates and prevent inbreeding. We investigated sibling movements in relation to
each other and parents before and after dispersal in radio-collared juvenile flying squirrels (Pteromys volans L.). Before dispersal, most siblings moved in different areas and were not in contact while exploring the surroundings of
natal area. After dispersal, all siblings settled far away from each other, as they dispersed different distances and to random
directions compared to each other. No clear effect of litter size or presence of same-sex siblings was observed on dispersal.
Time spent in the same nest with the mother did not differ between dispersing sons and daughters. Mother did not force dispersers
to leave the natal nest; instead, the mother often moved away from the nest before offspring. Father and offspring were not
observed to be in contact before dispersal. Dispersal direction was unaffected by the location of fathers’ home range. We
conclude that after dispersal interaction between relatives is limited in flying squirrels, but we did not find any indication
that interaction between relatives before dispersal is determining dispersal decision. Siblings’ settlement far away from
each other was already indicated by the movement within the natal home range, but, interestingly, the latter could not be
used to predict dispersal patterns of sexes. |
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