A first principles derivation of animal group size distributions

Several empirical studies have shown that the animal group size distribution of many species can be well fit by power laws with exponential truncation. A striking empirical result due to Niwa is that the exponent in these power laws is one and the truncation is determined by the average group size experienced by an individual. This distribution is known as the logarithmic distribution. In this paper we provide first principles derivation of the logarithmic distribution and other truncated power laws using a site-based merge and split framework. In particular, we investigate two such models. Firstly, we look at a model in which groups merge whenever they meet but split with a constant probability per time step. This generates a distribution similar, but not identical to the logarithmic distribution. Secondly, we propose a model, based on preferential attachment, that produces the logarithmic distribution exactly. Our derivation helps explain why logarithmic distributions are so widely observed in nature. The derivation also allows us to link splitting and joining behavior to the exponent and truncation parameters in power laws.

► First principles derivation of the logarithmic distribution and other truncated power laws using a site-based merge and split framework.
► Link the truncation size to the merging and splitting behaviors of animal groups.
► The logarithmic distribution and truncated power laws can be obtained by preferential attachment mechanisms.
► The logarithmic distribution is a limiting case of truncated power law and negative binomial distribution.