Dissertation Research: Effects of Behavior on Predator-prey Interactions in Heterogeneous Space

空间异质性和运动行为对捕食者-猎物种群动态有很大影响。利用实验和模型，在理解空间结构和开发行为的后果方面取得了很大进展。然而，尽管有大量的实验证据表明，许多猎物在面对捕食风险时会改变它们的行为，但很少有模型包括这一重要特征。黑脉金斑蝶幼虫存在于一个系统中，该系统非常适合于在空间异质性景观中探索捕食者和猎物行为的影响。研究人员将对帝王蝶毛虫和掠食性黄蜂进行实验，以揭示捕食者与猎物产生正空间协方差的能力。同样，将测量猎物与捕食者产生负协方差的能力。然后，利用这些信息建立计算机模拟和数学模型，以探索空间结构和捕食者和猎物行为（例如，移动速度和距离）的增量变化的后果。由于许多物种迁移（如鸟类、鱼类、有蹄类动物和帝王蝶）或迁移（如玉米穗虫和其他作物害虫）到斑块状栖息地，因此重点是生物系统的这些重要组成部分对单季节动态的影响。

Abstract Spatial heterogeneity and movement behavior can greatly influence predator-prey population dynamics. Much progress has been made in understanding the consequences of spatial structure and exploiter behavior using experiments and models. However, despite overwhelming experimental evidence that many prey modify their behavior in the face of predation risk, few models include this important feature. Monarch butterfly larvae exist in a system that is well suited to exploring the effects of both predator and prey behavior in a spatially heterogeneous landscape. Experiments will be performed involving monarch caterpillars and predatory wasps that will reveal the ability of predators to generate positive spatial covariance with prey. Similarly, the ability of prey to generate negative covariance with predators will be measured. Computer simulations and mathematical models will then be built that use this information in order to explore the consequences of incremental changes in spatial structure and predator and prey behavior (e.g., movement rate and distance). Because many species migrate (e.g., birds, fish, ungulates, and monarch butterflies) or immigrate (e.g., corn ear worms and other crop pests) into patchy habitats, the focus is on the consequences of these important components of biological systems to single season dynamics.