The evolutionary advantages of group foraging

Abstract

The relationship between the evolutionary fitness of individual foragers and the size of foraging groups is investigated by means of a series of simple mathematical models. Two alternative formulations of the contribution of foraging to fitness are considered, namely average feeding rate and probability of survival. The competitive aspects of group interaction are also considered, as are questions pertaining to the use of information. The latter leads to the concept of Behaviorally Robust Strategies. © 1986.