Modelling the many-wrongs principle: the navigational advantages of aggregation in nomadic foragers.
We develop a simple individual-based model to gain an understanding of the drivers of aggregation behaviour in nomadic foragers. The model incorporates two key elements influencing nomadic foragers in variable environments: uncertainty regarding the location of food sources and variability in the spatio-temporal distribution of ephemeral food sources. A genetic algorithm is used to evolve parameters describing an individual's movement and aggregation strategy. We apply the aggregation model to a case study of the Bornean bearded pig (Sus barbatus). Bearded pigs are ideal for considering the foraging advantages of aggregation, because they are highly mobile and exhibit a variety of aggregation strategies, ranging from solitary and sedentary to mass aggregation and wide ranging migration. Our model demonstrates the "many-wrongs principle", and shows that environmental variability, uncertainty in the location of food sources, and local population density drive aggregation behaviour.
Hancock
Penelope A
PA
Imperial College London, Division of Biology, Manor House, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UK. p.hancock@imperial.ac.uk
Milner-Gulland
E J
EJ
Keeling
Matthew J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012919:Social Behavior; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine