Geometry of the ideal free distribution: individual behavioural variation and annual reproductive success in aggregations of a social ungulate

Variation in social environment can mitigate risks and rewards associated with occupying a particular patch. We aim to integrate Ideal Free Distribution (IFD) and Geometry of the Selfish Herd (GSH) to address an apparent conflict in their predictions of equal mean fitness between patches (IFD) and d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecology letters 2020-09, Vol.23 (9), p.1360-1369
Main Authors: Bonar, Maegwin, Lewis, Keith P., Webber, Quinn M. R., Dobbin, Maria, Laforge, Michel P., Vander Wal, Eric, Calcagno, Vincent
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggregation
Animal reproduction
Breeding success
calf survival
caribou
Fitness
geometry of the selfish herd
ideal free distribution
nearest neighbour
repeatability
Reproduction
Reproductive fitness
reproductive success
Social environment
Tactics
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Summary:Variation in social environment can mitigate risks and rewards associated with occupying a particular patch. We aim to integrate Ideal Free Distribution (IFD) and Geometry of the Selfish Herd (GSH) to address an apparent conflict in their predictions of equal mean fitness between patches (IFD) and declining fitness benefits within a patch (GSH). We tested these hypotheses in a socio‐spatial context using individual caribou that were aggregated or disaggregated during calving and varied in their annual reproductive success (ARS). We then tested individual consistency of these spatial tactics. We reveal that two socio‐spatial tactics accorded similar mean ARS (IFD); however, ARS for aggregated individuals declined near the periphery (GSH). Individuals near the aggregation periphery exhibited flexibility, whereas others were consistent. The integration of classical theories through a contemporary lens of consistent individual differences provides evidence for an integrated GSH and IFD strategy that may represent an evolutionary stable state. Variation in social environment can mitigate risks and rewards associated with occupying a particular patch. We integrate Ideal Free Distribution (IFD) and Geometry of the Selfish Herd (GSH) to address an apparent conflict in their predictions of equal mean fitness between patches (IFD) and declining fitness benefits within a patch (GSH).
ISSN:1461-023X
1461-0248
DOI:10.1111/ele.13563