Bayesian Parameter Estimation of Cannibalism Dynamics in Larval Atractosteus tropicus Under Different Feeding Conditions
Preprint
- 16 September 2026
- preprint
- Published by MDPI AG in Preprints.org
Abstract
In this work, Bayesian estimation is performed for the parameters of a mathematical model, formulated as a system of ordinary differential equations, that describes cannibalism dynamics in a larval populations of Atractosteus tropicus were reared in a pond. The model divides the population into three subclasses: vulnerable, cannibalistic, and non-vulnerable individuals. Parameter estimation is conducted under two scenarios: a fed population and an unfed population. Correlation matrices are calculated for both cases. For the fed population, the most influential parameters are food quality and the time devoted to managing cannibalistic individuals. In contrast, for the unfed population, the strongest correlation occurs between the mortality rate and the transition rate of cannibalistic individuals to the non-vulnerable class. Therefore, providing larvae with high-quality food substantially reduces cannibalism and the handling time required and, consequently, increases the survival of the species.Keywords
All Related Versions
- Version 1, 2026-09-16, Preprints
- Published version: Mathematics, 14 (21), 3855.
This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit:
- Intra-cohort cannibalism and aggressive behavior in tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) larvae: Effects of stocking density and starvationAquaculture, 2024
- Cannibalism facilitates and sustains the invasion of top‐predator fish (Cichlidae: Cichla) in human‐modified ecosystemsFreshwater Biology, 2024
- Resource competition explains rare cannibalism in the wild in livebearing fishesEcology and Evolution, 2022
- Dynamical analysis of a stage-structured predator-prey model with cannibalismMathematical Biosciences, 2019
- Revisiting cannibalism in fishesReviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 2017
- Factors influencing cannibalism in the plainfin midshipman fishAnimal Behaviour, 2014
- Dynamics of intracohort cannibalism in cultured fishAquaculture Research, 2002
- Sibling cannibalism among juvenile vundu under controlled conditions. I. Cannibalistic behaviour, prey selection and prey size selectivityJournal of Fish Biology, 1999
- Understanding the Metropolis-Hastings AlgorithmThe American Statistician, 1995
- Cannibalism as a factor affecting the survival of intensively cultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fingerlingsAquaculture, 1989