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"Dispersal is one of the key processes allowing for a species' survival in fragmented landscapes" (Clobert et al).

Sex-biased dispersal is defined as the propensity to disperse depend ing on the sex of the individual (Gros et al).

This website aims to provide an overview of the phenomenon of sex-biased dispersal in marine animals.  In order to facilitate more complete understanding of the concept, we will present information in the style of Nikolaas Tinbergen’s ‘Four Questions’ paradigm. This is based upon four main elements: mechanism, adaptive value, ontogeny, and phylogeny.

Although we believe there is far more overlap amongst these categories than implied by Tinbergen’s original model, we find the categories useful as a vehicle of presentation.

Want to learn about how animals evolved to become sex-dispersed? Go to Phylogeny

Want to learn about how sex-biased dispersal behavior works? Go to Mechanism

Want to learn about how each individual develops sex-biased behaviors? Go to Ontogeny

Want to learn about why it might be important to be sex-dispersed? Go to Adaptive Value