The Detection and Choice of Prey

捕食者和猎物之间的相互作用 所有的生态系统。 近年来，它已成为 越来越清楚的是，捕食者-被捕食者系统的动力学是 受到觅食动物行为的强烈影响。 许多 感觉和决策过程都参与了 捕食者和猎物的行为。 卡米尔医生会 实验研究这些过程在一个杂食性， 技艺高超的捕食者和觅食者，蓝松鸦。 实验 将确定空间和/或 猎物的时间分布在鸟类狩猎的地方， 多久;时间限制对广度的影响 鸟类的饮食;松鸦收集和利用食物的能力 关于不断变化的动态猎物种群的信息;以及 猎物外观的变化对鸟类 发现猎物的能力。 这些实验的结果将在三个重要的 相关方式。 (1)因为许多决策能力 在觅食行为的背景下进化的动物， 实验将有助于揭示这些能力的本质， 其生物学意义。 (2)卡米尔博士的实验还 将提供关于捕食者动态的基本信息- 猎物之间的相互作用，这将有助于我们理解 生态系统 (3)更好地理解捕食者-猎物 生态系统中的相互作用应该证明是有价值的， 估计自然系统中变化的影响。

The interactions between predators and prey are an important part of all ecological systems. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that the dynamics of predator-prey systems are strongly influenced by the behaviors of foraging animals. Many sensory and decision-making processes are involved in the behavior of both predators and prey. Dr. Kamil will experimentally investigate these processes in an omnivorous, highly skilled predator and forager, the blue jay. Experiments will determine the effects of variation in the spatial and/or temporal distribution of prey on where the birds hunt, and for how long; the effects of temporal constraints on the breadth of the birds' diet; the ability of the jays to collect and utilize information about changing, dynamic prey populations; and the effects of variation in the appearance of prey on the birds' ability to detect the prey. The results of these experiments will be important in three related ways. (1) Because many of the decision-making abilities of animals evolved in the context of foraging behavior, these experiments will help to reveal the nature of these abilities and their biological significance. (2) Dr. Kamil's experiments also will provide basic information about the dynamics of predator- prey interactions, which will contribute to our understanding of ecological systems. (3) A better understanding of predator-prey interactions in ecological systems should prove valuable in estimating the effects of alterations in natural systems.