Dispersal Kernel Determines Symmetry of Spread and Geographical Range for an Insect

Abstract

The distance from a source patch that dispersing insects reach depends on the number of dispersers, or random draws from a probability density function called a dispersal kernel, and the shape of that kernel. This can cause asymmetrical dispersal between habitat patches that produce different numbers of dispersers. Spatial distributions based on these dynamics can explain several ecological patterns including megapopulations and geographic range boundaries. I hypothesized that a locally extirpated longhorned beetle, the sugar maple borer, has a new geographical range shaped primarily by probabilistic dispersal distances. I used data on occurrence from Ontario, Canada to construct a model of geographical range in Indiana, USA based on maximum dispersal distance scaled by habitat area. This model predicted the new range boundary within 500 m very accurately. This beetle may be an ideal organism for exploring spatial dynamics driven by dispersal.

Dispersal differences of a pest and a protected Cerambyx species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in oak open woodlands: a mark–recapture comparative study

“…In any case, the important result of this study is the marked difference in flight behaviour between Cw and Cc species in relation to wind speed and its potential implications. Thus, despite dispersal rates being similar in Cw and Cc, a distinct flight behaviour in windy conditions could still affect the spatial colonisation and occupancy patterns (Holland, 2009). Another important question is why Cc tends to fly more than Cw with faster wind speeds.…”

“…For instance, adult dispersal in Cw may be important in relation to preventive measures, sampling procedures, population monitoring, population outbreaks, biological control, pest risk models or mass trapping (Torres-Vila et al, 2012, 2013Morales-Rodríguez et al, 2015). In the case of Cc, adult dispersal may be relevant to gene flow, inbreeding depression, population mobility, species occupancy in uninterrupted and fragmented landscapes, setting of corridors among host patches, metapopulation dynamics, local extinction risk, and, in general, to adopt evidence-based strategies for improving habitat management and conservation biology (Thomas, 2000;Ranius, 2006;Buse et al, 2007;Holland, 2009;Drag et al, 2011;Clobert et al, 2012).…”

Local dispersal of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici from isolated source lesions

“…avenae (Leonard, ) and P. coronata (Mundt & Leonard, , ). When examining individual plots or plots aggregated by year or leaf position or source lesion, the dispersal gradient, often referred to as a dispersal kernel when describing the set of random draws from a given PDF (Holland, ), was well fitted by the Weibull distribution, which has previously been used to model the distribution of wind speed in the boundary layer (Kelly et al ., ), as well as biological dispersal data (Brøseth et al ., ).…”

Reproductive biology of the great capricorn beetle,Cerambyx cerdo(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): a protected but occasionally harmful species

“…Acquiring knowledge about the reproductive output, mating behaviour, egg-laying pattern, longevity and other species-specific fitness components of Cc is relevant to an array of genetic, demographic and ecological aspects. These aspects include gene flow, genetic drift, inbreeding depression, ‘bottleneck proneness’, local extinction risk, metapopulation dynamics, founder events, reintroduction attempts or species occupancy, all of which are important to adopt strategies for improving management and conservation biology (Thomas, 2000; Ranius, 2006; Buse et al ., 2007; Holland, 2009; Drag et al ., 2011; Clobert et al ., 2012; Drag & Cizek, 2015). Understanding Cc reproductive biology is particularly necessary in a framework in which tools to manage bark and borer insects associated with oaks are almost non-existent (Evans et al ., 2004).…”