Individual Based Model for Grouper Populations

Authored by Miled Slimane Ben, Amira Kebir, Moulay Lhassan Hbid

Date Published: 2010

DOI: 10.1007/s10441-010-9105-x

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) are characterized by a complex sex allocation strategies and overexploitation of bigger individuals. We developed an individual based model to investigate the long-term effects of density dependence on grouper population dynamics and to analyze the variabilities of extinction probabilities as a result of interacting mortalities at different life stages. We conduct several simulations with different forms of sex allocation functions and different combinations of mortality rates. The model was parametrized using data on dusky grouper populations from the literature. The most important insights produced by this simulation study are that density dependence of sex allocation is an evolutionarily stable strategy, increases the population biomass, mitigates the effect of the removal of large male and indicates a need for protection of females and flexible stages.
Tags
Competition growth Size Animals Social-control Epinephelus-marginatus lowe Bidirectional sex-change Advantage model Dusky grouper Hermaphroditism