Modelling Social Animal Aggregations

Abstract

It is hard to find animals in nature that do not aggregate for one reason or another. The details of such aggregations are important because they influence numerous fundamental processes like mate-finding, prey-detection, predator avoidance, and disease transmission. Yet, despite the near universality of aggregation and its profound consequences, biologists have only recently begun to probe its underlying mechanisms. In this chapter we review theoretical approaches to animal aggregation, concentrating on aggregations which are caused by social interactions. We emphasize methods and limitations, and suggest what we think are the most promising avenues for future research. For an earlier review article on dynamical aspects of animal grouping consult Okubo (1986).