Abstract
In behavioral ecology, diet selection is often predicted by using a theory in which it is assumed that behaviors have evolved to maximize the rate of intake of energy. In this theory, it is assumed that fitness is a monotonic function of energy intake. An alternative is to deal directly with fitness, measured in terms of expected reproduction, and thus connect short term behavior with reproduction. Following the usual assumptions of the theory of diet choice, fitness satisfies a partial differential-difference equation. Conditions under which rate maximizing and state variable theories of diet selection yield identical predictions are identified. When predation, as well as starvation, is a source of mortality, the identification is not as complete.
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Mangel, M. Rate maximizing and state variable theories of diet selection. Bltn Mathcal Biology 54, 413–422 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02464841
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02464841