Dispersal: A Critical Life History Stage Influencing Populations, Social Dynamics, and Individual Fitness

Natal dispersal, the movement of individuals from their birthplace to new areas in which they may breed, is an important aspect of life history that influences processes at the level of the individual, group, and population. This chapter takes a holistic approach by reviewing what is known about the entire process of dispersal in owl monkeys, from when and why they leave their natal group to what they do and where they go after dispersing. It also examines how dispersal patterns can inform our understanding of the evolution and maintenance of owl monkeys’ social organization, mating system, and parental care. While owl monkey dispersal strategies are highly variable, we identify some important common patterns. All individuals, both male and female, disperse prior to reproducing. Individuals also often “prospect” prior to permanently dispersing, and almost always spend some time as solitary floaters. While dispersed solitaries may occasionally engage in prosocial interactions, they typically face aggression from adults in established groups. Currently, nearly everything known about owl monkey dispersal comes from a population of Azara’s owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) in Formosa, Argentina. Expanding studies to other sites and Aotus species will generate a more multifaceted understanding of dispersal in pair-living primates.