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A comparative study of models for predation and parasitism

A comparative study of models for predation and parasitism

A comparative study of models for predation and parasitism

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Az/An = (X-z)/X<br />

from which we get<br />

dz/dt = (X- z)f(X) Y/X<br />

<strong>and</strong> integrating we have<br />

z =X(1- e -f(I) r~/I) (4g. 8).<br />

Clearly, HOLLING'S introduction <strong>of</strong> the factor h, or IVLEV'S equation justified in a<br />

toss-a-ring model, does not influence the assumption <strong>of</strong> Po~ssoN-type encounters, <strong>and</strong><br />

so eqs. (4c. 10) or (3.24) as specific <strong>for</strong>ms <strong>of</strong> eq. (4g. 8) are obtained <strong>for</strong> these two<br />

cases respectively (n in STOY'S equation can <strong>for</strong> the same reason be replaced by<br />

f (x) Yt).<br />

In the NICHOLSON-BAILEY <strong>predation</strong> model, however, it is crucial to assume a<br />

particular type <strong>of</strong> f(X), because the evaluation <strong>of</strong> the overall hunting equation is<br />

influenced by f(X), even if encounters are made at r<strong>and</strong>om. As already shown, if<br />

f(X) is a linear function <strong>of</strong> X, the overall equation is coincidentally <strong>of</strong> the same<br />

<strong>for</strong>m as THOMPSON'S, but if f(X) is <strong>of</strong> HOLLING'S type or IVLEV'S, the overall equation<br />

is eq. (4c. 9) or (3. 12), which are quite different from eqs. (4c. 10) <strong>and</strong> (3. 24) respectively.<br />

THOMPSON (1939) argued against NICHOLSON-BAILEY (1935) <strong>and</strong> stated that, while<br />

the NICHOLSON-BAILEY assumption <strong>of</strong> r<strong>and</strong>om searching was not justifiable, the fact<br />

that THOMPSON himself arrived at the same equation "merely illustrates the well-<br />

known fact that identical quantitative relationship may be developed from biologically<br />

different postulates, since these postulates are not, in their ontological significance,<br />

incorporated in the <strong>for</strong>mula". Now it is clear that THOMPSON was mistaken in that<br />

he was comparing incomparables, i.e. <strong>predation</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>parasitism</strong>, <strong>and</strong> that the resem-<br />

blance does not signify anything. The ontological significance <strong>for</strong> the two postulates<br />

becomes obvious under general circumstances in which f(X) is not a linear function<br />

<strong>of</strong> X.<br />

WATT (1959), in his review <strong>of</strong> various <strong>predation</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>parasitism</strong> <strong>models</strong>, made<br />

similarly erroneous comments that the NICHOLSON-BAILEY <strong>and</strong> THOMPSON equations<br />

are identical, <strong>and</strong> furthermore, that THOMPSON'S equation should have a constant<br />

factor in front <strong>of</strong> the exponent, to express the efficiency <strong>of</strong> different parasites. The<br />

suggestion is nonsensical because the exponent n/X (in my notation) is just a straight-<br />

<strong>for</strong>ward "mean number <strong>of</strong> parasite eggs per host" laid by all the parasite individ-<br />

uals <strong>for</strong> the entire observation period, <strong>and</strong> the mean number is a mean number no<br />

matter how efficient are the parasites concerned.<br />

plied by a constant factor signify ?<br />

65<br />

What does a mean number multi-<br />

A correct interpretation is as follows. (1) If n<br />

is an observed value, it should be observed under st<strong>and</strong>ard conditions in which the<br />

time <strong>of</strong> observation <strong>and</strong> the densities <strong>of</strong> both host <strong>and</strong> parasite populations, i.e. t, X,<br />

<strong>and</strong> Y respectively, are fixed (a st<strong>and</strong>ard may be determined conveniently); then<br />

differences between values <strong>of</strong> n <strong>for</strong> different parasite species reflect differences in<br />

efficiency between the species. (2) If n is an expected value, i.e. a theoretical expec-<br />

:tation when t, X, <strong>and</strong> Y are known, it should be replaced by f(X) Yt as in eq.

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