Semiparametric Models for Capture-recapture Experiments with Behavioral Response

Abstract

We introduce a semiparametric model in capture-recapture experiments to extend the parametric capture-recapture models of Huggins (1989) into a wide range setting. The resulting models for the capture probabilities include parametric models for some effects comprising time effect and nonparametric models for both individual heterogeneity and behavioral response. In particular, the behavioral response is considered as a smooth function of an individual characteristic covariate and thus provides a new strategy for modeling. The method is evaluated in simulations and is applied to several real data sets.