AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Optimal foraging theory defines the nature of the organisms forage in such a way to maximize the net energy intake of the organism per unit time. The organism behaves in such a way to consume food having most calories with in a least time period. Optimal foraging theory uses predators for the analysis.

Detailed explanation-2: -Optimal foraging theory predicts that animals will either attempt to maximize energy gained or minimize time spent to obtain a fixed amount of energy.

Detailed explanation-3: -The study of foraging originally developed in behavioral ecology, to explain the behavior of animals searching for food [90]. Optimal foraging theory posits that an organism should seek to maximize its intake of nutrients, while minimizing expenditures, such as time and energy [91].

Detailed explanation-4: -Optimal foraging theory states that natural selection favors foraging strategies that balance the benefits of a particular food, such as energy and nutrients, with the costs of obtaining it, such as energy expenditure and the risk of predation. Optimal foraging maximizes benefits while minimizing costs.

Detailed explanation-5: -OPTIMAL foraging theory is based on the assumption that natural selection favours animals that forage most efficiently1–3. But such selection does not act directly on foraging efficiency, but rather indirectly by favouring animals that survive and reproduce most successfully.