THE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FUNCTIONAL RESPONSES: EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND STATISTICAL INTERPRETATION

Abstract

Mathematical discussions of models of functional response (predation rate as a function of prey density) have usually emphasized description of the shape of the functional-response curve. However, lack of congruence between experimental design and data analysis and under-utilization of appropriate statistical methods of analysis have hindered an empirical synthetic treatment of such feeding behavior. Here we review existing experimental and statistical procedures with reference to Holling's generalized model of functional response, and describe: (1) an experimental design compatible with the assumptions of the model; (2) a maximum-likelihood method for fitting the model; (3) several methods for statistical comparison of sets of functional-response curves; and (4) an exploratory graphical method for examining patterns of variation among larger numbers of samples.