Analysis of functional response in presence of schooling phenomena: An IBM approach
Résumé
The aim of this paper is to analyse the emergence of functional response of a predator–prey system starting
from diverse simulations of an Individual-Based Model of schooling fish. Individual characteristics
can, indeed, play an important role in establishing group dynamics. The central question we address is
whether or not aggregation influences predator–prey relationships.
To answer this question, we analyse the consequences of schooling when estimating functional response
in four configurations: (1) no schooling of either prey nor predators; (2) schooling of prey only; (3)
schooling of predators only; and (4) schooling of both prey and predators. Aggregation is modelled using
the rules of attraction, alignment and repulsion.
We find important differences between the various configurations, highlighting that functional response
is largely affected by collective behaviour. In particular, we show: (1) an increased predation efficiency
when prey school and (2) different functional response shapes: Holling type II emerges if prey do not
school, while Holling type III emerges when prey aggregate.