1. Optimal Patch Choice MacArthur, R.H. & Pianka, E.R. 1966. American Naturalist 100:603-609. Insectivorous Birds, Mixed Forest Tree Spp Differ as Food Sources Tree: Patch of Habitat Type Consumer: visit how many patch types?

2. Optimal Patch Choice Strategy Set: Rank Patch Types 1, 2, … by Mean Hunting Time per Item in Patch Search, Capture, Consumption Decision Set: {1}, {1, 2}, {1,2 3}, etc. Identify by N, Number Patch Types

3. Optimal Patch Choice Constraints Mean Time/Item Consumed N N = TN + HN for {1, 2, 3 …, N} TN Travel Time/Item Consumed HN Hunting time/Item Consumed

4. Optimal Patch Choice Exploit {1, 2, …, N}; Add (N + 1)? Objective Function: Total Time per Item Consumed Minimize N

5. Optimal Patch Choice HypothesizeN : Currency of Fitness Reduced Total Time/Item Consumed  Increased Fitness Could Advance Survival, Reproduction

6. Optimal Patch Choice N+1 = TN+1 + HN+1 N = TN + HN  N = N+1 - N = TN + HN Better Strategy if  N < 0 Optimal N*: First N where  N > 0

7. Optimal Patch Choice Assume Patch Types Equally Abundant TN < 0 Travel Reduced, Use More Types HN > 0 Add Lower-ranked Types Add (N + 1) if  TN  > HN Otherwise N Optimal

8. Optimal Patch Choice

9. Optimal Patch Choice Prediction Same Patch Quality (HN), Larger Patches  TN and TN Smaller Increased Patch Size Should Decrease Range of Patch Types Exploited