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The control of foraging decisions
297
Brhavioural Processes, 9 (1984) 297-304 % 1984 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE SIXTH HARVARD SYMPOSIUM ON QUANTITATIVE ANALYSES OF BEHAVIOR: FORAGING CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 10 AND II JUNE 1983
A BAYESIAN
MODEL OF THE ACQUISITION
H. R. PULLIAM
Models optimal
(Dept. of Zoology,
University
of patch choice are developed
statistical
probability
decision
will match
than the other.
theory.
of Georgia,
predicts
environment
is estimated
an animal's choice
based on successive of the animal
Bayesian
model
proposed
FORAGING
IN A CHANGING
unstable
sites has a stepwise constant.
by Krebs,
Kacelnik,
ENVIRONMENT:
are described
decrease
and the other site remains
in reward
model
foraging
starlings
probability
the changing Our results
University
of
and great tits face a one of two feeding
while
the other site is
site has a stepwise are compared
with
increase some
predictions.
DECISIONS
A. I. HOUSTON (Dept. of Zoology, CB2 3EJ, England)
Optimal
of a simpler
MODELS AND EXPERIMENTS
in which
constant.
sampling
THE CONTROL OF FORAGING
nothing
I
and Taylor.
In the first experiment
paradigm.
In the second experiment
learning and optimal
in each patch.
rule than with predictions
A.KACELNIK, J. R.KREBS, and D. STEPHENS (Dept. of Zoology, Oxford, South Parks Rd., Oxford OX1 3PS, England)
Two experiments
applications
results of patch choice by birds are in closer
with the proposed matching
concurrent,
using
that one patch yields higher reward
to the actual experiences
show that experimental
GA 30601)
Athens,
in an uncertain
The model
the "certainty"
This certainty
of Bayes' theorem
agreement
OF CHOICE PROBABILITIES
Cambridge
theory specifies
about the actual mechanisms
University,
how animals
that control
Downing
St., Cambridge
ought to forage, but says
foraging
decisions.
There
298
have been
several
(Herrnstein Ollason),
relative
(Shimp, data
suggestions
and Vaughan),
from
made to
sum rule
A critical
both
operant
establish
possible
exponentially
payoff
Staddon).
about
weighted
(Harley),
review
of
moving
ideas
foraging
features
e.g.
that
melioration
average
and immediate
these
and quasi-natural
some general
mechanisms,
is
(Killeen,
maximization
presented,
experiments.
any adequate
drawing
on
An attempt
model
is
must possess.
TESTING TdE MARGINALVALUE THEOREM J. N. MCNAMARAand A. I. HOUSTON(Dept. of Mathematics, University Bristol, and Dept. of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing St., CB2 3EJ, England)
The marginal of
food
if
the
value
rate
of
theorem energy
The theorem
maximized. instantaneous
rate
We discuss
various
of
intake
requires
we consider
information
is
(i)
falls
arise
acquired
while for
to
the
should
patches
leave
in testing
foraging
the
of
forager
the modifications
the
rate
a series
the
intake
that
when a forager
over
that
energetic
problems
particular,
in calculating
specifies
for
and (ii)
are
to
a patch
be
when its
the
the theorem.
that
leave
is
a patch
rate
of Cambridge
environment. In
required
if
some difficulties
that
arise
environment.
SEARCH AND PROCUREMENT IN A SIMULATED NATURAL ENVIRONMENT R. L. MELLGREN(Dept. 73069).
Individual twelve
hours
fastened height
male
(greater
patches depletion
patches).
Search
A second
experiment
failed
to confirm
sexes.
Giving-up
methodology
Psychology,
rats
were
in a room with
to vertical of
of
to
poles produced of
each
strategy
a time times
standard
allowed
8 food
of
patches
from
results
consistent
with
with
male
increasing
affected
and female
minimizer-energy were
as expected
laboratory
foraging
(boxes
distances
patch
Oklahoma,
30 minutes
various
was not
using
University
with the
travel
rats
maximizer from
procedures
food
theory. is
every
buried
in sand)
Varying foraging
by order
of
patch
distinction
between visits.
densities between
The relation
discussed.
the theory
requirements
and varying
OK
sessions
floor.
optimal
as measured
Norman,
of
this
Brhavioural Processes, 9 (1984) 297-304 % 1984 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE SIXTH HARVARD SYMPOSIUM ON QUANTITATIVE ANALYSES OF BEHAVIOR: FORAGING CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 10 AND II JUNE 1983
A BAYESIAN
MODEL OF THE ACQUISITION
H. R. PULLIAM
Models optimal
(Dept. of Zoology,
University
of patch choice are developed
statistical
probability
decision
will match
than the other.
theory.
of Georgia,
predicts
environment
is estimated
an animal's choice
based on successive of the animal
Bayesian
model
proposed
FORAGING
IN A CHANGING
unstable
sites has a stepwise constant.
by Krebs,
Kacelnik,
ENVIRONMENT:
are described
decrease
and the other site remains
in reward
model
foraging
starlings
probability
the changing Our results
University
of
and great tits face a one of two feeding
while
the other site is
site has a stepwise are compared
with
increase some
predictions.
DECISIONS
A. I. HOUSTON (Dept. of Zoology, CB2 3EJ, England)
Optimal
of a simpler
MODELS AND EXPERIMENTS
in which
constant.
sampling
THE CONTROL OF FORAGING
nothing
I
and Taylor.
In the first experiment
paradigm.
In the second experiment
learning and optimal
in each patch.
rule than with predictions
A.KACELNIK, J. R.KREBS, and D. STEPHENS (Dept. of Zoology, Oxford, South Parks Rd., Oxford OX1 3PS, England)
Two experiments
applications
results of patch choice by birds are in closer
with the proposed matching
concurrent,
using
that one patch yields higher reward
to the actual experiences
show that experimental
GA 30601)
Athens,
in an uncertain
The model
the "certainty"
This certainty
of Bayes' theorem
agreement
OF CHOICE PROBABILITIES
Cambridge
theory specifies
about the actual mechanisms
University,
how animals
that control
Downing
St., Cambridge
ought to forage, but says
foraging
decisions.
There
298
have been
several
(Herrnstein Ollason),
relative
(Shimp, data
suggestions
and Vaughan),
from
made to
sum rule
A critical
both
operant
establish
possible
exponentially
payoff
Staddon).
about
weighted
(Harley),
review
of
moving
ideas
foraging
features
e.g.
that
melioration
average
and immediate
these
and quasi-natural
some general
mechanisms,
is
(Killeen,
maximization
presented,
experiments.
any adequate
drawing
on
An attempt
model
is
must possess.
TESTING TdE MARGINALVALUE THEOREM J. N. MCNAMARAand A. I. HOUSTON(Dept. of Mathematics, University Bristol, and Dept. of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing St., CB2 3EJ, England)
The marginal of
food
if
the
value
rate
of
theorem energy
The theorem
maximized. instantaneous
rate
We discuss
various
of
intake
requires
we consider
information
is
(i)
falls
arise
acquired
while for
to
the
should
patches
leave
in testing
foraging
the
of
forager
the modifications
the
rate
a series
the
intake
that
when a forager
over
that
energetic
problems
particular,
in calculating
specifies
for
and (ii)
are
to
a patch
be
when its
the
the theorem.
that
leave
is
a patch
rate
of Cambridge
environment. In
required
if
some difficulties
that
arise
environment.
SEARCH AND PROCUREMENT IN A SIMULATED NATURAL ENVIRONMENT R. L. MELLGREN(Dept. 73069).
Individual twelve
hours
fastened height
male
(greater
patches depletion
patches).
Search
A second
experiment
failed
to confirm
sexes.
Giving-up
methodology
Psychology,
rats
were
in a room with
to vertical of
of
to
poles produced of
each
strategy
a time times
standard
allowed
8 food
of
patches
from
results
consistent
with
with
male
increasing
affected
and female
minimizer-energy were
as expected
laboratory
foraging
(boxes
distances
patch
Oklahoma,
30 minutes
various
was not
using
University
with the
travel
rats
maximizer from
procedures
food
theory. is
every
buried
in sand)
Varying foraging
by order
of
patch
distinction
between visits.
densities between
The relation
discussed.
the theory
requirements
and varying
OK
sessions
floor.
optimal
as measured
Norman,
of
this