However the searching abilities of the predator and the spatial distribution of its prey are paramount. Generally it should be higher than those of sit-and-wait predators. The success of widely foraging pattern of ‘searchers’ is also influenced by prey density and prey mobility along with the predator's energetic requirements. Whereas searching predators encounter and consume non-moving types of prey population. In order to favor the sit-and-wait tactic, predator’s energy requirements must be low. A sit-and-wait strategy is mostly relying on moving preys or high prey mobility and the prey density must be relatively high. There are some conditions required to support these two modes of foraging. It is clear that the natural consequential impact on optimal foraging theory and competitive relationships among species. Foraging mode is an important characterizing trait of predators and may correlate with behavioral, ecological, physiological, and morphological characteristics. There is striking difference in foraging pattern between these two groups. Pianka (1966) named these two strategies of foraging the "sit-and-wait” and "widely-foraging" respectively. That is some predators attack their prey from ambush, whereas others mainly hunt while on the move. A sit-and-wait predator waits or remains still for long periods of time to capture its prey as it appears before them. That means actively foraging predators are characterized by their frequent wandering movements. A searching predator moves throughout its habitat and find its prey. Predators have been described into two categories based on its foraging strategies: searching (active or ‘widely foraging’) and sit-and-wait or ambush. Optimal foraging theory helps biologist to understand the factors determining a consumer’s operation range of food types. Classification of foraging mode can be useful because of these life-history associations. It is evident that the hunting behavior of organisms is more efficient with regard to energy or time expended in hunting.įoraging mode is a very important aspect of life history, and it is generally associated with characteristics such as reproductive effort, risk of predation, energy budget and locomotor mode. (It includes finding /catching /killing their prey). ![]() That means predators who hunt more efficiently will get more than their actual share and thus can produce many offspring than others. ![]() The population density of predators mainly depends upon their food. The first assumption of the optimal foraging theory is natural selection will only favor behavior that maximizes energy return. It was first proposed by Robert MacArthur, J M Emlen, and Eric Pianka in 1966. Optimal foraging illustrates the organisms forage in such a way as to maximize their net energy intake per unit time. One of the main classical concerns of ecology is foraging behavior.
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