A review of philopatry and dispersal in felids living in an anthropised world

Abstract

Typically, males of polygamous mammals are responsible for population connectivity and gene flow via dispersal, whereas females, showing stronger philopatry, strengthen local population stability and growth. These expectations can be disrupted by human disturbances; however, this possibility has been poorly examined in wide‐ranging mammals that are important targets for conservation. By reviewing philopatry and dispersal in felids, we aimed to evaluate: 1) whether the sex‐related patterns of philopatry and dispersal predicted for polygamous mammals are prevalent in felids, 2) possible major causes underlying each of these behaviours, and 3) if, and to what extent, anthropogenic disturbances can alter patterns of philopatry and dispersal in this animal lineage. We synthesised the available literature (n = 55 papers) comprising 12 species. Puma concolor was the most‐studied species, followed by other large species. Both philopatry and dispersal were heterogeneously defined, depending on the study aim and the method employed (telemetry, camera trapping or molecular tools). Most species followed the predicted philopatric and dispersal patterns, and most study areas (76%) were under some type of anthropogenic disturbance drivers. Philopatry was linked to females’ higher dependency on the quality and availability of resources, and to their social dynamics, higher reproductive success, inclusive fitness and demographic aspects of population. Dispersal was frequently linked to competition for mates and resources, and inbreeding avoidance. However, some plasticity was observed in both philopatry and dispersal, especially under the presence of anthropogenic drivers. For example, hunting can create open territories, increasing the number of philopatric females and opportunistic philopatric males. Habitat fragmentation can increase population isolation and male dispersal distance, and the presence of anthropogenic or natural barriers can result in unsuccessful dispersal attempts. We postulate that human activities affect long‐term population persistence in the Felidae, via disruption of sex‐related patterns of spatial dynamics.

Female philopatry and unsuccessful male dispersal of a top predator in a human-modified landscape revealed by relatedness analysis

“…Anthropogenic disturbances have been found to disrupt this sex-related behavioral pattern and alter population dynamics in cougars and other felid species (Maehr et al, 2002;Stoner et al, 2013;de Oliveira et al, 2021). For example, Maehr et al (2002) reported all female cougars from the isolated Florida (USA) population to be philopatric, as expected.…”

Genomics reveals introgression and purging of deleterious mutations in the Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr)

“…However, we cannot rule out that this topology is due to mitogenomic incomplete lineage sorting, as in leopards, males have higher dispersal than females. 43 On the other hand, the introgression between Arabian and Anatolian leopards is supported by the autosomal phylogeny, as the 100 Kbp sliding windows phylogeny clusters Arabian and one sample of Anatolian leopard together ( Figure S1 B). Their past continuous distribution through Northern Arabia could have helped in promoting gene flow between these two genetically and morphologically distinct subspecies.…”

Genomics reveals introgression and purging of deleterious mutations in the Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr)

“…On the one hand, the introgression between African and Arabian leopards is also partially supported by the mitochondrial phylogeny, as both groups cluster together, suggesting a possible migration corridor for females between Africa and the Arabian peninsula. However, we cannot rule out that this topology is due to mitogenomic incomplete lineage sorting, as in leopards males have higher dispersal than females (de Oliveira et al, 2022). On the other hand, the introgression between Arabian and Anatolian leopards is supported by the autosomal phylogeny, as the 100 Kbp sliding windows phylogeny clusters Arabian and one sample of Anatolian leopard together (Fig.…”