Selective predators and responsive prey

Community Ecology ◽

10.1093/oso/9780198835851.003.0006 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 96-117

Author(s):

Gary G. Mittelbach ◽

Brian J. McGill

Keyword(s):

Optimal Foraging ◽

Life Histories ◽

Optimal Foraging Theory ◽

Habitat Choice ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Diet Choice ◽

Lethal Effects ◽

Optimality Models ◽

Adaptive Diet ◽

Ecology Of Fear

Predators feed on a variety of prey and this has important consequences for both predator and prey. This chapter introduces optimal foraging theory as a way to understand why predators prefer some prey types over others and discusses the evidence for adaptive diet choice in nature. Simple optimality models are used to understand how predators make decisions about where to feed (habitat choice) and how long to stay in a prey patch (“giving-up-time”). The non-lethal or non-consumptive effects of predators can be as important as their direct lethal effects. Discussed are examples of how prey respond to the threat of predation (the “ecology of fear”) by changing their behaviors, morphologies, physiologies, and life histories. The chapter concludes with an examination of the relative importance of predator consumptive and non-consumptive effects.

Download Full-text

Shell dropping by Northwestern Crows: a reexamination of an optimal foraging study

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z89-109 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 67 (3) ◽

pp. 770-771

Author(s):

R. C. Plowright ◽

G. A. Fuller ◽

J. E. Paloheimo

Keyword(s):

Optimal Foraging ◽

Optimal Foraging Theory ◽

Foraging Theory ◽

Corvus Caurinus ◽

Lower Height ◽

Optimality Models

The report by Zach (Zach, R. 1979. Behaviour, 68: 106–117) that Northwestern Crows (Corvus caurinus), when breaking whelks, drop the shells from an optimal height is reexamined. The currency used by Zach is arguably inappropriate because of the significant handling costs incurred by the birds in the shell-breaking process. As the birds ascend to a lower height than is predicted by any of the optimality models examined in this paper, it is suggested that their behaviour should not be cited as an example of the successful application of optimal foraging theory.

Download Full-text

Insights for caribou/reindeer management using optimal foraging theory

Rangifer ◽

10.7557/2.11.4.987 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Gary E. Belovsky

Keyword(s):

Optimal Foraging ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Choice Model ◽

Optimal Foraging Theory ◽

Foraging Theory ◽

Feeding Time ◽

Diet Choice ◽

Insect Harassment ◽

And Migration ◽

Parameter Values

Optimal foraging theory is useful to wildlife managers, because it helps explain the nutritional value of different habitats for wildlife species. Based upon nutritional value, the use of different habitats can be predicted, including how factors such as insect harassment, predation and migration might modify habitat selection. If habitat value and use can be understood, then changes in habitat availability which are of concern to wildlife managers can be assessed. The theory is used to address diet choice and habitat use of caribou/reindeer. Diet choice is examined in terms of lichen composition of the diet and is demonstrated to be a function of daily feeding time, food abundance and digestive capacity. The diet choice model is then used to assess the nutritional profitability of different habitats and which habitat should be preferred based upon nutritional profitability. Caribou/reindeer use of habitats is demonstrated to be easily modified by insect harassment and predation which change the nutritional profitability of habitats differentially. The same type of approach could be used to explain migratory behaviour; however, the needed parameter values are unavailable. The results of this analysis lead one to question some common conceptions about caribou/reindeer ecology.

Download Full-text

Supplemental Material for Some Evidence for the Usefulness of an Optimal Foraging Theory Perspective on Goal Conflict and Goal Facilitation

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology ◽

10.1037/pspp0000165.supp ◽

2017 ◽

Keyword(s):

Optimal Foraging ◽

Optimal Foraging Theory ◽

Foraging Theory ◽

Goal Conflict

Download Full-text

Be different to be better: the effect of personality on optimal foraging with incomplete knowledge

Theoretical Ecology ◽

10.1007/s12080-021-00517-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Poppy M. Jeffries ◽

Samantha C. Patrick ◽

Jonathan R. Potts

Keyword(s):

Optimal Foraging ◽

Optimal Foraging Theory ◽

Foraging Strategy ◽

Foraging Strategies ◽

Partial Knowledge ◽

Marginal Value ◽

Animal Populations ◽

Plausible Mechanism ◽

Insight Into ◽

Modelling Approach

AbstractMany animal populations include a diversity of personalities, and these personalities are often linked to foraging strategy. However, it is not always clear why populations should evolve to have this diversity. Indeed, optimal foraging theory typically seeks out a single optimal strategy for individuals in a population. So why do we, in fact, see a variety of strategies existing in a single population? Here, we aim to provide insight into this conundrum by modelling the particular case of foraging seabirds, that forage on patchy prey. These seabirds have only partial knowledge of their environment: they do not know exactly where the next patch will emerge, but they may have some understanding of which locations are more likely to lead to patch emergence than others. Many existing optimal foraging studies assume either complete knowledge (e.g. Marginal Value Theorem) or no knowledge (e.g. Lévy Flight Hypothesis), but here we construct a new modelling approach which incorporates partial knowledge. In our model, different foraging strategies are favoured by different birds along the bold-shy personality continuum, so we can assess the optimality of a personality type. We show that it is optimal to be shy (resp. bold) when living in a population of bold (resp. shy) birds. This observation gives a plausible mechanism behind the emergence of diverse personalities. We also show that environmental degradation is likely to favour shyer birds and cause a decrease in diversity of personality over time.

Download Full-text