Abstract
Many animals show variable markings, or variations of size, shape or other attributes, that can be used to identify individuals. Identification systems based on natural attributes have obvious advantages in field studies of wild animals, where catching and marking individuals may be difficult or undesirable, but the reliability of such systems is difficult to assess. In this chapter the problem is presented in terms of the information content of a pattern. The amount of information required is first considered, and then methods of estimating the amount available from particular markings are suggested.
Dr C.J. Pennycuick is Reader in Zoology at the University of Bristol.
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© 1978 The Contributors
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Pennycuick, C.J. (1978). Identification using natural markings. In: Stonehouse, B. (eds) Animal Marking. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-03711-7_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-03711-7_16
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-03713-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-03711-7
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