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for actual distribution. The influence of begging
models is also a stressed in (Mock, Parker 1998) .
6 CONCLUSIONS
From the first simulations with three sib and two sib
co-operation it follows that Mocks principles of
inclusive fitness behaves as expected. When food
abundance is low the chick with the lowest rank is
likely to suffer from starvation. When agents were
started in synchrony performed simulations shows
that any chick may suffer from starvation if food
resources are poor. However, when agents were
started in asynchrony it is also consistent with the
results that the latest hatch sibling dies due to
starvation in most cases.
Our first experimental model for brood reduction
has shown some interesting results that could be
useful for simulation of incubation behaviours such
as hatching asynchrony but of course the model
needs further refinement in describing state and
policy variables for each agent. Further research is
needed to describe dominance/ranking and learning
processes for each agent. In our simulation we have
not yet considered important component of learning
strategies for competition. Conflicting behaviours
have a degree of learning and adaptation. Adaptation
to conflicting behaviours needs to be considered if
the experimental model for brood reduction should
be representative for any real world situation.
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343
USING A GAME THEORETICAL APPROACH FOR EXPERIMENTAL SIMULATION OF BROOD REDUCTION -
Conflict and co-operation, effect on brood size with limited resources
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