The article "Optimal Foraging: A Selective Review of Theory and Tests" by G.H. Pyke, H.R. Pulliam, and E.L. Charnov provides a comprehensive review of the theory and empirical tests of optimal foraging models. These models, which have been developed over the past decade, aim to predict animal foraging behavior using mathematical frameworks that assume fitness is maximized through efficient foraging, measured in terms of energy intake. The theory, known as optimal foraging theory, has been applied to four main categories of foraging decisions: optimal diet, optimal patch choice, optimal allocation of time to patches, and optimal patterns and speed of movements. The authors discuss the theoretical developments and data that support or test these predictions. They emphasize studies that develop testable predictions and those that test these predictions quantitatively. The review highlights the simplicity of the models and their reasonable fit with available data, while also noting the need for modifications to address more complex scenarios and currencies beyond energy. Key findings include: 1. **Optimal Diet**: Animals tend to specialize in high-value food types, increasing specialization as food abundance decreases. 2. **Optimal Patch Choice**: Animals allocate time to patches based on food abundance, with short-term strategies often differing from long-term strategies. 3. **Optimal Allocation of Time to Patches**: Animals leave patches when their marginal capture rate drops to the average rate for the habitat. 4. **Optimal Patterns and Speed of Movements**: Animals exhibit movement patterns that minimize the frequency of path recrossing, with directionality varying among species. The authors conclude that while the simple models are supported by data, they require modification to handle more complex scenarios and currencies. They also discuss future developments and the potential for extending optimal foraging theory to other areas of biology.The article "Optimal Foraging: A Selective Review of Theory and Tests" by G.H. Pyke, H.R. Pulliam, and E.L. Charnov provides a comprehensive review of the theory and empirical tests of optimal foraging models. These models, which have been developed over the past decade, aim to predict animal foraging behavior using mathematical frameworks that assume fitness is maximized through efficient foraging, measured in terms of energy intake. The theory, known as optimal foraging theory, has been applied to four main categories of foraging decisions: optimal diet, optimal patch choice, optimal allocation of time to patches, and optimal patterns and speed of movements. The authors discuss the theoretical developments and data that support or test these predictions. They emphasize studies that develop testable predictions and those that test these predictions quantitatively. The review highlights the simplicity of the models and their reasonable fit with available data, while also noting the need for modifications to address more complex scenarios and currencies beyond energy. Key findings include: 1. **Optimal Diet**: Animals tend to specialize in high-value food types, increasing specialization as food abundance decreases. 2. **Optimal Patch Choice**: Animals allocate time to patches based on food abundance, with short-term strategies often differing from long-term strategies. 3. **Optimal Allocation of Time to Patches**: Animals leave patches when their marginal capture rate drops to the average rate for the habitat. 4. **Optimal Patterns and Speed of Movements**: Animals exhibit movement patterns that minimize the frequency of path recrossing, with directionality varying among species. The authors conclude that while the simple models are supported by data, they require modification to handle more complex scenarios and currencies. They also discuss future developments and the potential for extending optimal foraging theory to other areas of biology.