Exploring Extensions to Multi-State Models with Multiple Unobservable States

摘要: Many biological systems include a portion of the target population that is unobservable during certain life history stages. Transition to and from an state may be primary interest in many ecological studies such movements are easily incorporated into multi-state models. Several authors have investigated properties open-population mark-recapture models with states, determined scope constraints under which parameters identifiable (or, conversely, redundant), but only context single observable (Schmidt et al. 2002; Kendall Nichols Schaub 2004; 2004). Some these can relaxed if data collected version robust design (Kendall Bjorkland 2001; Bailey 2004), entails >1 capture period per (e.g., 2 sampling periods within breeding season). The critical assumption shared by all versions individual (e.g. or unobservable) remains static for duration In this paper, we extend previous work relaxing allow movement among states while maintaining states. Stated otherwise, both demographic geographic closure assumptions relaxed, individuals either periods. Within transitions possible multiple not allowed corresponding