Dispersal patterns of Reeves’s pheasant based on genetic and behavioral evidence

Abstract Dispersal is an important life history trait that plays a crucial role in avoiding inbreeding. Uncovering the dispersal pattern of threatened species facilitates conservation efforts. Most Galliformes are forest-dwelling terrestrial birds with weak ability and high priorities. However, little known about behavior such as Reeves’s pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii, globally vulnerable endemic to China. Here, we integrated behavioral genetic analyses investigate pheasant. Our results revealed both females males would disperse, although overall was more likely be male-biased. population had low level diversity, mild With speculating diversity resulted by fragmented habitat, male-biased may reduce opportunity research indicated sex-biased patterns mechanism adopted wildlife avoid inbreeding habitat.