Behavioural Mechanisms of Food Selection [Paperback]

Behavioural Mechanisms of Food Selection examines animals belonging to diverse trophic groups, from carnivores, herbivores, micro-algal grazers, to filter-feeders and detritus-feeders. In the past Optimal Foraging Theory has been applied to all these groups, but in different ways and in disci plines that rarely overlap. Here concepts and developments hitherto scattered in the literature are drawn together. This uniquely broad synthesis captures the state of the art in the study of diet selection and prescribes new objectives in theoretical development and research.Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Behavioural Mechanisms of Food Selection held at Gregynog, Wales, United Kingdom, July 17-21, 1989Behavioural Mechanisms of Food Selection examines animals belonging to diverse trophic groups, from carnivores, herbivores, micro-algal grazers, to filter-feeders and detritus-feeders. In the past Optimal Foraging Theory has been applied to all these groups, but in different ways and in disci plines that rarely overlap. Here concepts and developments hitherto scattered in the literature are drawn together. This uniquely broad synthesis captures the state of the art in the study of diet selection and prescribes new objectives in theoretical development and research.Theory.- Predator switching and the interpretation of animal choice behaviour: the case for constrained optimization..- Foraging in the context of life-history: general principles and specific models..- The starvation-predation trade-off and some behavioural and ecological consequences..- Timing mechanisms in optimal foraging: some applications of scalar expectancy theory..- On evaluation of foraging strategies through estimates of reproductive success..- Evaluation and Selection of Food Items.- Active diet selection or passive reflection of changing food availability: the underwater foraging behaviour of canvasback ducks..- Territorial salamanders evaluate silóI