Optimality Models in Behavioral Biology

  • Authors:
  • J. M. McNamara;A. I. Houston;E. J. Collins

  • Affiliations:
  • -;-;-

  • Venue:
  • SIAM Review
  • Year:
  • 2001

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Abstract

The action of natural selection results in organisms that are good at surviving and reproducing. We show how this intuitive idea can be given a formal definition in terms of fitness and reproductive value. An optimal strategy maximizes fitness, and reproductive value provides a common currency for comparing different actions. We provide a broad review of models and methods that have been used in this area, stressing the conceptual issues and exposing the logic of evolutionary explanations.