ABSTRACT
In our attempts to understand how animals work, the diversity of animal design and the physiological basis of animal behaviour it is common to make theoretical models of animal function and to conduct experiments to test these models. Experimental analyses often provide a direct test of competing models, evaluate the accuracy of assumptions of models and, at a more descriptive level, simply provide increased observational precision. On the other hand, theoretical models may play an important heuristic role in suggesting new experiments and may provide a general predictive framework within which research can progress.
© 1986 The Company of Biologists Ltd.
1986
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