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Exploring stable pattern formation in models of tussock moth populations

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wilson, WG; Harrison, SP; Hastings, A; McCann, K
Published in: Journal of Animal Ecology
January 1, 1999

1. The western tussock moth (Orgyia vetusta) at the University of California Bodega Marine Reserve (Sonoma County, California, USA) exhibits dense, localized populations in the midst of extensive habitats where variation in host plant quality or predator abundance is unable to explain the restricted extent of the outbreaks. 2. Two primary features suggest that the host patterning is intrinsically generated: (i) female tussock moths are wingless, producing a low effective dispersal distance for the hosts; and (ii) the tussock moth population is attacked by several species of widely dispersing wasp and fly parasitoids. 3. We consider a set of spatially explicit host-parasitoid models to examine whether intrinsically generated patterns are possible within this system. These models include a spatially extended Nicholson-Bailey model to examine general features of pattern formation in host-parasitoid systems, and two system-specific models, an individual-based simulation and a population-level analytic model, to examine the details of this empirical system. 4. Both stable patterning and rapid extinction of the host population are initial-condition dependent outcomes of the general and specific models, implying that an intrinsically generated stable host pattern is feasible within the tussock moth system. 5. Stable patterning is enhanced by a large parasitoid-to-host dispersal ratio, local host resource limitation, and increased parasitism at the host patch's edge.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Animal Ecology

DOI

ISSN

0021-8790

Publication Date

January 1, 1999

Volume

68

Issue

1

Start / End Page

94 / 107

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 3103 Ecology
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

Citation

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MLA
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Wilson, W. G., Harrison, S. P., Hastings, A., & McCann, K. (1999). Exploring stable pattern formation in models of tussock moth populations. Journal of Animal Ecology, 68(1), 94–107. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2656.1999.00265.x
Wilson, W. G., S. P. Harrison, A. Hastings, and K. McCann. “Exploring stable pattern formation in models of tussock moth populations.” Journal of Animal Ecology 68, no. 1 (January 1, 1999): 94–107. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2656.1999.00265.x.
Wilson WG, Harrison SP, Hastings A, McCann K. Exploring stable pattern formation in models of tussock moth populations. Journal of Animal Ecology. 1999 Jan 1;68(1):94–107.
Wilson, W. G., et al. “Exploring stable pattern formation in models of tussock moth populations.” Journal of Animal Ecology, vol. 68, no. 1, Jan. 1999, pp. 94–107. Scopus, doi:10.1046/j.1365-2656.1999.00265.x.
Wilson WG, Harrison SP, Hastings A, McCann K. Exploring stable pattern formation in models of tussock moth populations. Journal of Animal Ecology. 1999 Jan 1;68(1):94–107.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Animal Ecology

DOI

ISSN

0021-8790

Publication Date

January 1, 1999

Volume

68

Issue

1

Start / End Page

94 / 107

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 3103 Ecology
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences