The evolution of density-dependent dispersal

Despite a large body of empirical evidence suggesting that the dispersal ra tes of many species depend on population density, most metapopulation model s assume a density-independent rate of dispersal. Similarly, studies invest igating the evolution of dispersal have concentrated almost exclusively on density-independent rates of dispersal. We develop a model that allows dens ity-dependent dispersal strategies to evolve. Our results demonstrate that a density-dependent dispersal strategy almost always evolves and that the f orm of the relationship depends on reproductive rate, type of competition, size of subpopulation equilibrium densities and cost of dispersal. We sugge st that future metapopulation models should account for density-dependent d ispersal.