Density-dependent dispersal promotes female-biased sex allocation in viscous populations: From theory to experiment

A key prediction in sex allocation theory is that the optimal sex ratio is completely independent to the rate of dispersal. This result challenges the notion of any relationship between dispersal and sex ratio evolution. However, the invariant result is based on the assumption that an individual's dispersal behaviour is not modulated by population density. In this talk, I will explore how density-dependent dispersal impact upon the evolution of sex allocation in a viscous-population setting. Additionally, I will discuss the process of testing this prediction through experimental evolution in spider mites.