A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Cold winters have morph-specific effects on natal dispersal distance in a wild raptor
Authors: Passarotto Arianna, Morosinotto Chiara, Brommer Jon E., Aaltonen Esa, Ahola Kari, Karstinen Teuvo, Karell Patrik
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Behavioral Ecology
Journal name in source: BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
Journal acronym: BEHAV ECOL
Volume: 33
Issue: 2
First page : 419
Last page: 427
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 1045-2249
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arab149
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/174875279
Dispersal is a key process with crucial implications in spatial distribution, density, and genetic structure of species' populations. Dispersal strategies can vary according to both individual and environmental features, but putative phenotype-by-environment interactions have rarely been accounted for. Melanin-based color polymorphism is a phenotypic trait associated with specific behavioral and physiological profiles and is, therefore, a good candidate trait to study dispersal tactics in different environments. Here, using a 40 years dataset of a population of color polymorphic tawny owls (Strix aluco), we investigated natal dispersal distance of recruiting gray and pheomelanic reddish-brown (hereafter brown) color morphs in relation to post-fledging winter temperature and individual characteristics. Because morphs are differently sensitive to cold winters, we predicted that morphs' natal dispersal distances vary according to winter conditions. Winter temperature did not affect the proportion of brown (or gray) among recruits. We found that dispersal distances correlate with winter temperature in an opposite manner in the two morphs. Although the gray morph undertakes larger movements in harsher conditions, likely because it copes better with winter severity, the brown morph disperses shorter distances when winters are harsher. We discuss this morph-specific natal dispersal pattern in the context of competition for territories between morphs and in terms of costs and benefits of these alternative strategies. Our results stress the importance of considering the interaction between phenotype and environment to fully disentangle dispersal movement patterns and provide further evidence that climate affects the behavior and local distribution of this species.In species displaying alternative colorations (morphs), climate may induce different responses according to the intensity of pigmentation. We show that brown, more pigmented, tawny owls tend to move away farthest from their place of birth in milder winters, whereas paler gray tawny owls move farthest in colder winters. The ongoing changes in winter severity will likely affect differently movement patterns of these two tawny owl color morphs, with important consequences on morph distribution and population dynamics.
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