IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Laundr‚, J.W.; Hern ndez, L. | |
| Factors affecting dispersal in young male pumas | |
| 2003 Conference Proceeding | |
Numerous studies have demonstrated that nearly all young male pumas disperse from their natal home range area while most females are philopatric. There are 2 hypotheses for the driving force behind dispersal in young male pumas. The first is the competition (aggression avoidance) model where dispersal is because of competition between young males and their fathers/incoming transient males for mates and resources. The second is the inbreeding model where young males are thought to disperse to avoid inbreeding with their mothers/sisters. Under each model, specific predictions can be made to test their validity. Under the competition model, we predict that there should be physical conflicts between sons and their fathers, including infanticide and that competitive ability should increase with age and thus, the longer time and further distance they are from their home area. Thus, dispersal distances should reflect their competitive ability, i.e. few males will establish territories close to their natal home range. Under the inbreeding avoidance model, we predict fewer physical conflicts (young males leave on their own), no inbreeding between fathers and daughters, which is genetically equivalent to sons mating with their mothers, and no males should establish their territories adjacent (1-2 home range diameters) to their natal home range. We tested these predictions with dispersal data from our study in southern Idaho/northwestern Utah and published data. We refuted the inbreeding model because resident males do fight and kill their male offspring, resident males do mate with their daughters, and there is a high percent of males that establish their territories within 2-4 HRDs of their natal home ranges. Our data supported the competition model with an increase in frequency of dispersal distances at >2 diameters. We conclude that young males are forced out of their natal home range by their fathers or incoming males who, by default, will be older and stronger. We propose that they continue to disperse until they gain enough weight and experience to successfully takeover a territory. |
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