Spatial sorting drives morphological variation in the invasive bird, Acridotheris tristis

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dc.contributor.authorBerthouly-Salazar, C.
dc.contributor.authorVan Rensburg, B. J.
dc.contributor.authorLe Roux, J. J.
dc.contributor.authorVan Vuuren, B. J.
dc.contributor.authorHui, Cang
dc.date.accessioned2012-06-15T12:06:06Z
dc.date.available2012-06-15T12:06:06Z
dc.date.issued2012-05
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http:/www.plosone.orgen_ZA
dc.descriptionPublication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThe speed of range expansion in many invasive species is often accelerating because individuals with stronger dispersal abilities are more likely to be found at the range front. This ‘spatial sorting’ of strong dispersers will drive the acceleration of range expansion. In this study, we test whether the process of spatial sorting is at work in an invasive bird population (Common myna, Acridotheris tristis) in South Africa. Specifically, we sampled individuals across its invasive range and compared morphometric measurements relevant and non-relevant to the dispersal ability. Besides testing for signals of spatial sorting, we further examined the effect of environmental factors on morphological variations. Our results showed that dispersal-relevant traits are significantly correlated with distance from the range core, with strong sexual dimorphism, indicative of sex-biased dispersal. Morphological variations were significant in wing and head traits of females, suggesting females as the primary dispersing sex. In contrast, traits not related to dispersal such as those associated with foraging showed no signs of spatial sorting but were significantly affected by environmental variables such as the vegetation and the intensity of urbanisation. When taken together, our results support the role of spatial sorting in facilitating the expansion of Common myna in South Africa despite its low propensity to disperse in the native range.en_ZA
dc.description.versionPublishers' Versionen_ZA
dc.format.extent9 p. : ill.en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationBerthouly-Salazar, C. et al. 2012. Spatial sorting drives morphological variation in the invasive bird, Acridotheris tristis. PLoS One, 7(5): e38145, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038145.en_ZA
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038145
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/21423
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherPLoS Oneen_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthor retain the copyrighten_ZA
dc.subjectInvasive speciesen_ZA
dc.subjectSpatial sortingen_ZA
dc.subjectBird populationen_ZA
dc.subjectCommon myna, Acridotheris tristisen_ZA
dc.titleSpatial sorting drives morphological variation in the invasive bird, Acridotheris tristisen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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