| Title: | Index of host habitat preference explored by movement-based simulations and trap captures |
| Author(s): | Byers JA; Sadowsky A; Levi Zada A; |
| Address: | "Department of Entomology, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel. Southern Arava Research and Development, Eilot, Israel. Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1365-2656 (Electronic) 0021-8790 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Animal species likely have different strengths of host habitat preference (HHP) that might be characterized by a standardized index ranging from 0 (no preference) to 1 (maximum preference). We hypothesized that in some species, HHP may result from individuals dispersing out of the host habitat having a probability of turning back at the boundary, or after entering host habitat by reducing speed or increasing size of turning angles. Computer simulations of individuals moving between various sized patches of host and nonhost habitat were conducted based on these three behaviours hypothesized to affect HHP. In the rebounding model, simulations resulted in equilibria of animal numbers inside and outside of host habitat that depend on sizes of these areas, initial number and the rebounding probability. Curvilinear regression of simulation results suggested an equation that predicted numbers in the host habitat and was solved for rebounding probability. A modified equation that sampled population densities (e.g., insect pheromone trap catches) inside and outside host habitat areas gave the rebounding probability, an index of HHP, without requiring the sizes of the areas. Simulations with traps and moving animals verified that the modified equation could predict the index correctly. The modified equation also estimates an index of HHP from sampled densities due to speed reductions and a combination of this and rebounding. Changes in angular turning size upon entering host habitat, however, did not affect habitat preference. Using pheromone trap captures, we found that the lesser date moth Batrachedra amydraula has a HHP for date Phoenix dactylifera plantations of 0.96. Host habitat preference indexes also were calculated from sampled insect densities reported in the literature. The new index of HHP is useful to characterize habitat patches of many organisms and aid understanding of animal spatial distributions and speciation processes. In addition, the index can be applied in studies of invasive species, trap crops of pest insects and conservation management" |
| Keywords: | Animals Ecosystem *Insect Control Insecta *Moths Pheromones Batrachedra amydraula computer simulation model date palm host preference insect sampling landscape ecology pheromone population ecology; |
| Notes: | "MedlineByers, John A Sadowsky, Avraham Levi Zada, Anat eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2018/06/26 J Anim Ecol. 2018 Sep; 87(5):1320-1330. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.12877. Epub 2018 Jul 12" |
