Journal article 1193 views 442 downloads
Dynamic Range Size Analysis of Territorial Animals: An Optimality Approach
The American Naturalist, Volume: 188, Issue: 4, Pages: 460 - 474
Swansea University Author:
Luca Borger
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DOI (Published version): 10.1086/688257
Abstract
Home range sizes of territorial animals are often observed to vary periodically in response to sea-sonal changes in foraging opportunities. Here we develop the first mechanistic model focusedon the temporal dynamics of home range expansion and contraction in territorial animals. Wedemonstrate how si...
Published in: | The American Naturalist |
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ISSN: | 0003-0147 1537-5323 |
Published: |
2016
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Online Access: |
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URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa28841 |
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Abstract: |
Home range sizes of territorial animals are often observed to vary periodically in response to sea-sonal changes in foraging opportunities. Here we develop the first mechanistic model focusedon the temporal dynamics of home range expansion and contraction in territorial animals. Wedemonstrate how simple movement principles can lead to a rich suite of range size dynamics, bybalancing foraging activity with defensive requirements and incorporating optimal behavioral rulesinto mechanistic home range analysis. Our heuristic model predicts three general temporal patternsthat have been observed in empirical studies across multiple taxa. First, a positive correlation be-tween age and territory quality promotes shrinking home ranges over an individual’s lifetime, withmaximal range size variability shortly before the adult stage. Second, poor sensory information,low population density, and large resource heterogeneity may all independently facilitate range sizeinstability. Finally, aggregation behavior towards forage-rich areas helps produce divergent homerange responses between individuals from different age classes. This model has broad applica-tions for addressing important unknowns in animal space use, with potential applications also inconservation and health management strategies. |
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Keywords: |
movement ecology, optimal behavior, home range, territoriality |
College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
Issue: |
4 |
Start Page: |
460 |
End Page: |
474 |