Diffusion and home range parameters from rodent population measurements in Panama.
Bull Math Biol
; 67(5): 1135-49, 2005 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15998498
Simple random walk considerations are used to interpret rodent population data collected in Hantavirus-related investigations in Panama regarding the short-tailed cane mouse, Zygodontomys brevicauda. The diffusion constant of mice is evaluated to be of the order of (and larger than) 200 meters squared per day. The investigation also shows that the rodent mean square displacement saturates in time, indicating the existence of a spatial scale which could, in principle, be the home range of the rodents. This home range is concluded to be of the order of 70 meters. Theoretical analysis is provided for interpreting animal movement data in terms of an interplay of the home ranges, the diffusion constant, and the size of the grid used to monitor the movement. The study gives impetus to a substantial modification of existing theory of the spread of the Hantavirus epidemic which has been based on simple diffusive motion of the rodents, and additionally emphasizes the importance for developing more accurate techniques for the measurement of rodent movement.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Comportamento Animal
/
Arvicolinae
/
Comportamento de Retorno ao Território Vital
/
Modelos Biológicos
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
America central
/
Panama
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Bull Math Biol
Ano de publicação:
2005
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos
País de publicação:
Estados Unidos