Prey field switching based on preferential behaviour can induce Lévy flights

Abstract

Using the foraging movements of an insectivorous bat, Myotis mystacinus, we describe temporal switching of foraging behaviour in response to resource availability. These observations conform to predictions of optimized search under the Lévy flight paradigm. However, we suggest that this occurs as a result of a preference behaviour and knowledge of resource distribution. Preferential behaviour and knowledge of a familiar area generate distinct movement patterns as resource availability changes on short temporal scales. The behavioural response of predators to changes in prey fields can elicit different functional responses, which are considered to be central in the development of stable predator -prey communities. Recognizing how the foraging movements of an animal relate to environmental conditions also elucidates the evolution of optimized search and the prevalence of discrete strategies in natural systems. Applying techniques that use changes in the frequency distribution of movements facilitates exploration of the processes that underpin behavioural changes.

Liberating Lévy walk research from the shackles of optimal foraging

“…The maximum likelihood estimate for the Lévy exponent is 1.8, and application of the Akaike information criterion indicates that a power-law distribution is convincingly favoured over both exponential and Gaussian distributions. Analogous results have also been reported for the movement patterns of the insectivorous bat, Myotis mystacinus, and the Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus [196,197]. These observations are intriguing because they mirror observations of heavy-tailed velocity distributions in single cells, which also have Lévy walk movement patterns [102].…”

“…A new direction of travel is then chosen at random and the cycle repeats. regularly timed locational fixes, rather than between consecutive turns [195][196][197]. The former is a proxy for the velocity distribution while the latter is the standard hallmark of a Lévy walk.…”

Understanding movements of organisms: it's time to abandon the Lévy foraging hypothesis

“…; Lundy et al . ; Schultheiss & Cheng ), and have obtained variable levels of directionality when they have (Chapperon & Seuront ). As will be discussed below, zero directionality is an important assumption in the Lévy walk hypothesis.…”

“…), with some now referring to this approach as the Lévy walk/flight ‘paradigm’ (Reynolds & Rhodes ; Lundy et al . ). It is therefore timely to review this approach and, in the process, consider its basis in terms of biological realism and logic, how useful it has so far been, and its likely future.…”

Global warming alters sound transmission: differential impact on the prey detection ability of echolocating bats

“…Individuals could extend periods of foraging or actively select areas with higher perceived prey density [62] or cooler climate (e.g. higher latitudes and altitudes).…”