Competition for mates and predominant juvenile male dispersal in mammals

Competition among males for mates may partially explain the predominant dispersal of juvenile male California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi). I tested the generality of this hypothesis by comparing dispersal patterns in many species of mammals. In most polygynous and promiscuous species of mammals, juvenile males are the predominant dispersers. In most monogamous species of mammals, juvenile males and juvenile females are predominant dispersers with little distinction as to sex. While many factors may influence dispersal, achieving outcrossing and advantages in competition for mates are most likely to explain predominant dispersal by juvenile males in many mammal species.