The role of behavioural variation in the invasion of new areas

Abstract

Behaviour determines the rate at which invasive species spread, as well as the impact they have on natives. When behaviour varies between individuals (as it almost always does), then the mean behaviour is often less important than the extremes of behaviour. The rate at which a species spreads, for example, is governed primarily by the most extreme dispersers. Similarly, individuals of native species that are extreme in their behaviour may be more, or less, likely to suffer impact from a given invasive species. Thus, we argue, an understanding of behavioural variation is critical if we are to understand the long-term impacts of invasive species in a changing world.