Optimal foraging behavior with an explicit consideration of within-individual behavioral variation: an example of predation

Authored by Toshinori Okuyama

Date Published: 2015

DOI: 10.1007/s10682-015-9758-7

Sponsors: Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Animal behavior is flexible, and the same individual can exhibit variable expressions under the equivalent ecological situations (i.e., within-individual behavioral variation). This study examines the evolution of within-individual behavioral variation using an individual-based model. A common predation scenario is considered where a predator spends a period h to handle and consume a captured prey. The model assumes the handling time of the predator to be a random variable. The average and within-individual variance of handling time are described by and , respectively, where each individual has its own unique and . Using a genetic algorithm, the evolution of is traced. The results show that natural selection acts on both and , and the optimal behavioral variation depends on the density of prey. In particular, individuals with high behavioral variance are more likely selected when prey density is low. Individual based modeling can be a useful tool for studying the ultimate significance of within-individual behavioral variation and generating empirically testable predictions. The mechanisms of the evolution of within-individual behavioral variation and their ecological implications are discussed.

Tags

models Personality time Prey Temperature Food Optimal diets