In this dissertation, we create three theoretical models to answer questions raised by recent experiments that lie beyond the scope of current theory. In the landmark-effect model, we determine size, shape and location for a territory that is optimal in the sense of minimizing defense costs, when a given proportion of the boundary is landmarked and its primary benefit in terms of fitness is greater ease of detecting intruders across it. In the subjective-resource-value model, we develop a game-theoretic model based on the War-of-Attrition game. Our results confirm that allowing players to adapt their subjective resource value based on their experiences can generate strong winner effects with weak or even no loser effects, which is not predicted by other theoretical models. In the rearguard-action model, we develop two versions of a game-theoretic model with different hypotheses on the function of volatile chemical emissions in animal contests, and we compare their results with observations in experiments. The two hypotheses are whether volatile chemicals are released to prevent the winner of the current round of contest from translating its victory into permanent possession of a contested resource, or are used to prevent a winner from inflicting costs on a fleeing loser. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Mathematics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester 2017. / April 10, 2017. / Behaviors, Contest, Game theory, Landmark effect, Subjective resource value, Volatile chemical / Includes bibliographical references. / Mike Mesterton-Gibbons, Professor Directing Dissertation; Fred W. Huffer, University Representative; Monica Hurdal, Committee Member; Alec N. Kercheval, Committee Member; Jack Quine, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_507646 |
| Contributors | Dai, Yao (authoraut), Mesterton-Gibbons, Mike (professor directing dissertation), Hurdal, Monica K. (committee member), Kercheval, Alec N. (committee member), Quine, J. R. (John R.), 1943- (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Mathematics (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text, doctoral thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (100 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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