32. Economic Decisions for the Foraging Individual

Principles of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior (EEB 122)

There are several ways to examine the behaviors of organisms when they forage or hunt for food or mates. These behaviors become more complex in higher organisms, such as primates and whales, which can hunt in groups. Foragers and hunters have been shown to examine the marginal cost and marginal benefit of continuing an action and then adjust their behaviors accordingly. They are also able to handle risk by hoarding resources.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction
05:30 - Chapter 2. The Marginal Value Theorem
12:05 - Chapter 3. Inferring the Fitness Measure Used by Foragers
14:18 - Chapter 4. Dealing with Risk
16:58 - Chapter 5. How Predators Shape Crypsis and Conspicuousness
28:09 - Chapter 6. Hunting in a Group
45:28 - Chapter 7. Conclusion

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2009.