Simultaneous Prey Encounters by Optimally Foraging Predators: Theory and Experiments

Author: Berec L.¹

Source: Comments® on Theoretical Biology, Volume 8, Number 1, January-February 2003 , pp. 1-36(36)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

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Abstract:

This article reviews work on predators encountering prey simultaneously in a fine-grained environment. Such a study seems timely, as despite the fact that simultaneous encounters abound in nature, research on sequential encounters still predominates. After reviewing relevant models of optimal foraging theory, I comment on experiments that involved simultaneous encounters. Unfortunately, these studies are so diverse that any conclusive statement supporting the theory is still premature. Studies of population-dynamic consequences of optimal foragers facing simultaneous encounters are briefly presented. This area awaits more extensive theoretical research. I also touch on the future of optimal foraging theory in general and work on simultaneous encounters in particular.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Theoretical Biology, Institute of Entomology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, and Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ccaron eské Bud ecaron jovice,Czech Republiceské Bud ecaron jovice,Czech Republic">