[New paper] A simulation test of the prediction that density-dependent dispersal promotes female-biased sex allocation in viscous populations

Chokechaipaisarn C & Gardner A (2023) A simulation test of the prediction that density-dependent dispersal promotes female-biased sex allocation in viscous populations. microPublication Biology doi: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000821

A classic result of sex-allocation theory is that the sex ratio is predicted to be invariant with respect to the rate of dispersal. However, a recent mathematical analysis has suggested that if individuals are able to adjust their probability of dispersal according to the local density of their neighbourhood, then a lower rate of dispersal will be associated with greater female-bias. Here, we perform a computer simulation test of this prediction. Our simulation data provide strong qualitative support for the prediction, and a Monte Carlo randomization test of significance allows us to reject the null hypothesis of the invariance relationship.

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