Now published! We examine how female competition shapes movement ecology. We provide the first genetic evidence of female philopatry and male-biased dispersal in a socially polyandrous bird species!
https://doi.org/10.1093/evolut/qpaf069
@journal-evo.bsky.social
https://doi.org/10.1093/evolut/qpaf069
@journal-evo.bsky.social
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In polygynous and socially monogamous birds, females usually disperse while males stay.
But what happens when females compete for mates and territories, as in socially polyandrous mating systems?
▪️Females defend territories that encompass multiple males
▪️Males provide all parental care
This "sex-role reversal" provides a rare opportunity to test classical predictions about sex-biased dispersal.
🟡 Jacana spinosa (Northern Jacana)
🔴 Jacana jacana (Wattled Jacana)
Both are polyandrous, but differ in the intensity of sexual selection acting on females.
✅ In the Northern Jacana, females are significantly more philopatric than males
✅ Males exhibit higher gene flow and greater genetic admixture across sites
⭕️ In the Wattled Jacana, no significant sex difference in dispersal was observed
This suggests that competitive phenotypes predict reduced dispersal.
They highlight the role of female competition and investment in sexual traits in shaping spatial genetic structure—an often-overlooked perspective.