How far is too close? Restricted, sex-biased dispersal in black-capped vireos

Understanding the interplay of dispersal and how it translates into gene flow is key to understanding population processes, and especially so for endangered species occupying fragmented habitats. In migratory songbirds, there is evidence that long-distance movement capabilities are not highly related to observed dispersal. Our objectives were to 1) define the fine-scale spatial genetic structure in the endangered black-capped vireos to shed light on dispersal patterns, and 2) to relate dispersal dynamics to overall population genetic structure using a simulation approach. We sampled 160 individuals over two years to describe the fine-scale genetic structuring, and used this information to model scenarios to compare with actual data on change in population structuring over a 100-year interval. We found that black-capped vireo exhibit male-philopatry, and restricted dispersal distances, relative to females. Our simulations support a sex-biased dispersal model. Additionally, we find that f...阐明扩散过程及其转化为基因流（gene flow）的作用机制，是理解种群过程的核心所在，对于栖息于破碎化生境的濒危物种而言尤为如此。在迁徙鸣禽类群中，已有研究证实其长距离移动能力与实际观测到的扩散事件并无显著的高度关联。本研究的目标分为两项：其一，明确濒危物种黑顶莺雀（black-capped vireo）的精细尺度空间遗传结构（fine-scale spatial genetic structure），以阐明其扩散模式；其二，采用模拟方法，将扩散动态与整体种群遗传结构建立关联。本研究在两年间共采样160个个体，以刻画其精细尺度遗传结构；并基于该数据集构建情景模型，与百年时间尺度上的种群结构变化实测数据开展对比分析。研究发现，相较于雌性个体，黑顶莺雀雄性表现出雄性恋巢性（male-philopatry），且扩散距离受限。本研究的模拟结果支持性别偏向扩散模型。此外，本研究发现……