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Seasonal density-dependence can select for partial migrants in migratory species
  • Jin Liu,
  • Zhengwang Zhang,
  • Tim Coulson
Jin Liu
Beijing Normal University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Zhengwang Zhang
Beijing Normal University
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Tim Coulson
University of Oxford
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Abstract

Whether individuals migrate or not is rapidly shifting in many populations. Exactly how and why environmental change alters migration propensity is not well understood. We conducted a systematic literature review to gain insights into the mechanisms that affect the propensity to migrate. Motivated by findings from our literature review, we constructed density-dependent structured population models to explore the coexistence of migrants and non-migrants, when they coexist, and when they do not. We find that carrying capacity in a seasonal environment determines the dominant type in the population. Partial migration can be maintained, or not, depending on where in the life cycle density-dependent operates. Bet-hedging also promotes partial migration. Our study disentangles density-dependence and density-independence in seasonal environments, providing insights into the coexistence of polymorphism, potentially explaining the rapid change in migration strategy observed.
31 Aug 2023Submitted to Ecology Letters
05 Sep 2023Assigned to Editor
05 Sep 2023Submission Checks Completed
05 Sep 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Sep 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned