Do larids exhibit sex-biased natal dispersal? A case study of a southwest Florida population of Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger)

Abstract

Understanding dispersal patterns in a species provides important evolutionary and ecological knowledge. Dispersal decreases inbreeding, which can greatly influence a species’ genetic diversity and conservation status. We examined natal dispersal sex differences in a southwest Florida population of Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) by collecting band resighting data from 86 (57 males, 29 females) skimmers during the 2017–2022 breeding seasons. We examined sex biases in the proportion of natal dispersers and the distances traveled from their natal colonies. The majority of skimmers dispersed (72% of females, 61% of males), however, no statistically significant difference was found between the proportion or distance traveled between the sexes. As beach habitat becomes fragmented by development and sea level rise, the ability of both sexes to disperse may benefit both Black Skimmer genetics and demographics in a changing world.

Keywords

• black skimmer
• natal dispersal
• rynchops niger
• sex bias