Predicting the dynamics of animal behaviour in field populations

Shandelle M. Henson; Brian Dennis; James L. Hayward; J. M. Cushing; Joseph G. Galusha

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.11.015

Predicting the dynamics of animal behaviour in field populations

Shandelle M. Henson, Brian Dennis, James L. Hayward, J. M. Cushing, Joseph G. Galusha

Mathematics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Many species show considerable variation in behaviour among individuals. We show that some behaviours are largely deterministic and predictable with mathematical models. We propose a general differential equation model of behaviour in field populations and use the methodology to explain and predict the dynamics of sleep and colony attendance in seabirds as a function of environmental factors. Our model explained over half the variability in the data to which it was fitted, and it predicted the dynamics of an independent data set. Differential equation models may provide new approaches to the study of behaviour in animals and humans.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	103-110
Number of pages	8
Journal	Animal Behaviour
Volume	74
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.11.015
State	Published - Jul 2007

Keywords

Larus glaucescens
colony occupancy
differential equation
dynamic modelling
glaucous-winged gull
habitat ecology
mathematical modelling
sleep
territory attendance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Animal Science and Zoology

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10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.11.015

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title = "Predicting the dynamics of animal behaviour in field populations",

abstract = "Many species show considerable variation in behaviour among individuals. We show that some behaviours are largely deterministic and predictable with mathematical models. We propose a general differential equation model of behaviour in field populations and use the methodology to explain and predict the dynamics of sleep and colony attendance in seabirds as a function of environmental factors. Our model explained over half the variability in the data to which it was fitted, and it predicted the dynamics of an independent data set. Differential equation models may provide new approaches to the study of behaviour in animals and humans.",

keywords = "Larus glaucescens, colony occupancy, differential equation, dynamic modelling, glaucous-winged gull, habitat ecology, mathematical modelling, sleep, territory attendance",

author = "Henson, {Shandelle M.} and Brian Dennis and Hayward, {James L.} and Cushing, {J. M.} and Galusha, {Joseph G.}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank K. Ryan, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, for permission to work on Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge, Walla Walla College Marine Station for logistical support, and S. P. Damania and K. W. Phillips for field assistance. This research was supported by Andrews University faculty grants and U. S. National Science Foundation grant DMS 0314512 (S.M.H. and J.L.H.).",

year = "2007",

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AU - Henson, Shandelle M.

AU - Dennis, Brian

AU - Hayward, James L.

AU - Cushing, J. M.

AU - Galusha, Joseph G.

N1 - Funding Information: We thank K. Ryan, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, for permission to work on Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge, Walla Walla College Marine Station for logistical support, and S. P. Damania and K. W. Phillips for field assistance. This research was supported by Andrews University faculty grants and U. S. National Science Foundation grant DMS 0314512 (S.M.H. and J.L.H.).

PY - 2007/7

Y1 - 2007/7

N2 - Many species show considerable variation in behaviour among individuals. We show that some behaviours are largely deterministic and predictable with mathematical models. We propose a general differential equation model of behaviour in field populations and use the methodology to explain and predict the dynamics of sleep and colony attendance in seabirds as a function of environmental factors. Our model explained over half the variability in the data to which it was fitted, and it predicted the dynamics of an independent data set. Differential equation models may provide new approaches to the study of behaviour in animals and humans.

AB - Many species show considerable variation in behaviour among individuals. We show that some behaviours are largely deterministic and predictable with mathematical models. We propose a general differential equation model of behaviour in field populations and use the methodology to explain and predict the dynamics of sleep and colony attendance in seabirds as a function of environmental factors. Our model explained over half the variability in the data to which it was fitted, and it predicted the dynamics of an independent data set. Differential equation models may provide new approaches to the study of behaviour in animals and humans.

KW - Larus glaucescens

KW - colony occupancy

KW - differential equation

KW - dynamic modelling

KW - glaucous-winged gull

KW - habitat ecology

KW - mathematical modelling

KW - sleep

KW - territory attendance

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JO - Animal Behaviour

JF - Animal Behaviour

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ER -

Predicting the dynamics of animal behaviour in field populations

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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