A general random walk model for the leptokurtic distribution of organism movement: Theory and application

摘要: The movement of organisms is usually leptokurtic in which some individuals move long distances while the majority remains at or near area they are released. There has been extensive research into origin such movement, but one important aspect that overlooked foraging behaviour most not Brownian as assumed existing models. In this paper we show non-Brownian indeed gives rise to distribution. We first present a general random walk model describe organism by breaking each individual events active and inactive stationary period; its therefore fully characterized joint probability how far can duration it between two consecutive movements. spatio-temporal distribution be described generalized partial differential equation, special case when period exponentially distributed. Empirical observations living different habitats indicated their rest time shows power-law distribution, speculate for other organisms. This leads fractional diffusion equation with three parameters characterize distributions distance. A method estimate from empirical data given, apply simulate habitats: stream fish (Cyprinidae: Nocomis leptocephalus) water, root-feeding weevil, Sitona lepidus soil. Comparison simulations measured close agreement. an implication ecology observed population level does necessarily mean heterogeneity models suggested, consists phenotypes; instead, homogeneous moving habitat also lead