From a long time density-dependent dispersal has been taught to help a species to distribute itself ideally on the landscape. If achieving an ideal free distribution is possible for species with good movement facilities, species with a restricted dispersing ability was predicted to distribute themselves not ideally. The development of the informed dispersal concept has however brought new ways by which a species can collect information over the landscape, information which can hep to distribute ideally. We will examine by experiments and modelling the possibility that an individual can take dispersal decision based on the presence of immigrants within their natal population.
Results/Conclusions
In two species (a ciliate and a reptile), it was proved that local individuals were cuing on the immigrants’ presence to take dispersal decision. This behaviour is expected to evolve in a wide variety of situations and in most species, providing that the cost of dispersal is not too high. Even species with restricted ability to disperse can then potentially achieve quickly an ideal free distribution.