Optimal foraging and learning
1985; Elsevier BV; Volume: 117; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s0022-5193(85)80219-8
ISSN1095-8541
AutoresJohn M. McNamara, Alasdair I. Houston,
Tópico(s)Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
ResumoOptimal foraging thoery usually assumes that certain key environmental parameters are known to a foraging animal, and predicts the animal's behaviour under this assumption. However, an animal entering a new environment has incomplete knowledge of these parameters. If the predictions of optimal foraging theory are to hold the animal must use a behavioural rule which both learns the parameters and optimally exploits what it has learnt. In most circumstances it is not obvious that there exists any simple rule which has both these properties. We consider an environment composed of well-defined patches of food, with each patch giving a smooth decelerating flow of food (Charnov, 1976). We present a simple rule which (asymptotically) learns about and optimally exploits this environment. We also show the rule can be modified to cope with a changing environment. We discuss what is meant by optimal behaviour in an unknown and possibly changing environment, using the simple rule we have presented for illustrative purposes.
Referência(s)