Dynamic Modeling in Behavioral EcologyThis book describes a powerful and flexible technique for the modeling of behavior, based on evolutionary principles. The technique employs stochastic dynamic programming and permits the analysis of behavioral adaptations wherein organisms respond to changes in their environment and in their own current physiological state. Models can be constructed to reflect sequential decisions concerned simultaneously with foraging, reproduction, predator avoidance, and other activities. |
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... example , life- history models . Dynamic optimization models allow for an increase in biolog- ical realism , relative to most of the models currently used in behavioral ecol- ogy . These traditional models usually pertain to a single ...
... example , the development of a class of models subsumed under the title " optimal foraging the- ory " has generated new hypotheses and suggested new experi- ments concerning the influence of environmental factors on the behavior of ...
... lifetime reproduction . Furthermore , physio- logical and environmental constraints can easily be incorporated into our framework . Indeed they can hardly be left out . The second type of criticism ( see , for example 4 INTRODUCTION.
... example , Oster and Wilson 1978 , Ch . 8 ) goes roughly like this : any behavioral model which is simple enough to be operational is necessarily too simple to be biologically realistic . Obversely , any biologically realistic model in ...
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Contents
Fundamentals | 9 |
Basic Probability | 11 |
12 Discrete Random Variables and Distributions | 15 |
13 Conditional Expectation | 18 |
Patch Selection | 41 |
22 Biological Examples | 42 |
23 The Simplest State Variable Model | 45 |
24 An Algorithm for the Dynamic Programming Equation | 52 |
51 Diel Vertical Migrations of Zooplankton | 152 |
52 Diel Migrations of Planktivores | 165 |
53 Predictions of Zooplankton Migrations | 178 |
Parental Allocation and Clutch Size in Birds | 182 |
61 A SingleYear Model of Parental Allocation and Clutch Size | 183 |
62 A MultiYear Model of Parental Allocation and Clutch Size | 192 |
63 Hypothesis Generation and Testing Dynamic Behavioral Models | 195 |
Movement of Spiders and Raptors | 198 |
25 Elaborations of the Simplest Model | 58 |
26 Discussion | 63 |
How to Write a Computer Program | 82 |
Applications | 105 |
The Hunting Behavior of Lions | 107 |
31 The Serengeti Lion | 108 |
32 Some Possible Explanations of Lions Hunting Behavior | 109 |
33 A Dynamic Model | 113 |
34 Communal Sharing | 121 |
35 Discussion | 124 |
Reproduction in Insects | 126 |
42 A Model with Mature Eggs Only | 131 |
43 A Model with Mature Eggs and Oocytes | 142 |
44 Parasitism and Density Dependence | 143 |
45 Discussion | 148 |
Migrations of Aquatic Organisms | 149 |
71 Movement of OrbWeaving Spiders | 199 |
72 Population Consequences of Natal Dispersal | 204 |
Additional Topics | 213 |
Formulation and Solution of State Variable Models | 215 |
81 Identifying State Variables Constraints and Dynamics | 217 |
Fitness | 223 |
83 The Dynamic Programming Algorithm | 225 |
84 Alternative Modeling Approaches | 233 |
Some Extensions of the Dynamic Modeling Approach | 247 |
92 Dynamic Behavioral Games | 259 |
Epilogue Perspectives on Dynamic Modeling | 280 |
References | 289 |
303 | |
306 | |