How Fast Should an Animal Run When Escaping? An Optimality Model Based on the Trade-Off between Speed and Accuracy

Rebecca Wheatley, Michael Angilletta, Amanda C. Niehaus, Robbie S. Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

How fast should animals move when trying to survive? Although many studies have examined how fast animals can move, the fastest speed is not always best. For example, an individual escaping from a predator must run fast enough to escape, but not so fast that it slips and falls. To explore this idea, we developed a simple mathematical model that predicts the optimal speed for an individual running from a predator along a straight beam. A beam was used as a proxy for straight-line running with severe consequences for missteps. We assumed that success, defined as reaching the end of the beam, had two broad requirements: (1) running fast enough to escape a predator, and (2) minimizing the probability of making a mistake that would compromise speed. Our model can be tailored to different systems by revising the predator's maximal speed, the prey's stride length and motor coordination, and the dimensions of the beam. Our model predicts that animals should run slower when the beam is narrower or when coordination is worse.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1166-1175
Number of pages10
JournalIntegrative and comparative biology
Volume55
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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