Barí loricarid collection and the value of information: An application of optimal foraging theory

Abstract

Analysis of Barí collection of loricarid species suggests that the length of time that has elapsed since each collecting site has last been exploited significantly guides site selection. Information on “patch recovery time,” gathered through intra-village monitoring of independent foraging groups, allows foragers to choose those sites with a high probability of generating good returns. Comparison of actual returns with those predicted by a model of random site selection indicates that the observed pattern of patch exploitation increases the return of kilograms of loricarids for time invested in foraging substantially above that predicted by random returns to sites. The saving of time as well as the increase in food afforded by this system represent currencies for evaluating the value of information on patch recovery time.