Abstract:
Program MSSURVIV (Multi-State-SURVIVal analysis) computes parameter estimates of survival/transition and capture probability under the multistate models described in "Capture-recapture Studies for Multiple Strata including non-Markovian Transition Probabilities" (Brownie et. al., 1993). Actually, MSSURVIV is a specially modified version of Dr. G. White's program SURVIV (White, 1983) which ... incorporates the multistate models. With this program and it's companion program, CNVMEMOV, users are able to get parameter estimates for these complex models from capture-history data without having to specify the cell probabilities.
MSSURVIV is intended to be used in a situation where one is interested in not only survival and capture probabilities, but also transition probabilities (the probability of moving from one stratum to another). The strata may be defined as any discrete categories to which captured animals can be assigned at any given time. For example, strata may be based on such factors as capture location or individual variables such as breeding status or weight class. This situation may be thought of as a more general Jolly-Seber model where a matrix of survival/transition probabilities replaces a single survival rate and a vector of capture probabilities replaces a single capture probability. Output from MSSURVIV includes survival/movement probability estimates, capture probability estimates, goodness-of-fit tests, and likelihood-ratio tests. Estimates may be computed under the "Markovian" models or the "Non-Markovian/memory" models. The Markovian models assume that survival/transition probabilities of an animal depend on the stratum in which the animal is located at the beginning of the interval. The parameters under these models would be a matrix of survival/transition probabilities and a vector of capture probabilities for each time-period. Optionally, MSSURVIV may be instructed to decompose the combined survival/transition probabilities into separate survival and transition probabilities. Non-Markovian models assume that survival/transition probabilities for the interval (i, i+1) depend not only on stratum at time i, but also on stratum at i-1. These models produce much larger matrices of parameter estimates than Markovian models.
By default, three models are generated for either of these two model-sets. The three models are analogous to Models "D", "B", and "A" produced by program JOLLY for standard Jolly-Seber analysis (Pollock et. al., 1990). Model "D" computes estimates under the assumption that survival/transition probabilities and capture probabilities are constant over time. Model "B" assumes survival/transition probabilities are constant over time, but capture probabilities are time-dependent. Model "A" assumes both survival/transition and capture probabilities are time-dependent. If necessary, users may examine these models to generate statements for their own models.
The experimental situation to which this program applies is one in which animals are initially marked with a unique tag, and released. This process is repeated for each of the sampling periods. Information used to assign the animal to the proper stratum (eg. sex, weight, age, capture location, ...) is recorded for each capture of each animal. Using these data, the capture-history of each animal is generated consisting of codes indicating the status of the animal at each capture period. For example, if an animal were captured in stratum A in time-period 1, not captured in periods 2 and 3, and captured in stratum B in time-period 4, the capture history would be: "A 0 0 B". If the variable of interest is a continuous variable, cutpoints must be defined to break it into discrete strata (eg., weight -> weight-class) before the capture-history records can be generated.
Input to MSSURVIV consists of statements which define the capture data and statements defining the selected model structure. The format of the input file is the same as for program SURVIV except that no cell probabilities need be given. The statements defining the data consist of the number of animals captured and released in each time-period and stratum, and the number next recaptured in each subsequent time-period and stratum. Statements which set parameters equal to other parameters define model structure.
Although MSSURVIV eliminates the need for specifying cell probabilities, the job of summarizing capture-history records and defining model structure can be very complicated and can lead to errors. Program CNVMEMOV was created to automate this process. CNVMEMOV reads as input the capture-history records and produces all of the statements necessary to run program MSSURVIV under the "Markovian" or "memory" model sets described above.
Name:
JAMES
E.
HINES
Phone:
301-497-5661
Fax:
301-497-5667
Email:
Jim_Hines at usgs.gov
Contact Address:
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
11510 American Holly Dr. #201 City:
Laurel
Province or State:
MD
Postal Code:
20708-4017
Country:
USA
Distribution Media
Distribution_Media:
Online
Fees:
No fees
Personnel
TYLER
B.
STEVENS Role:
SERF AUTHOR
Phone:
(301) 614-6898
Fax:
301-614-5268
Email:
Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov
Contact Address:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Global Change Master Directory City:
Greenbelt
Province or State:
MD
Postal Code:
20771
Country:
USA
JAMES
E.
HINES Role:
TECHNICAL CONTACT
Phone:
301-497-5661
Fax:
301-497-5667
Email:
Jim_Hines at usgs.gov
Contact Address:
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
11510 American Holly Dr. #201 City:
Laurel
Province or State:
MD
Postal Code:
20708-4017
Country:
USA
Publications/References
Hines, J.E. 1994. MSSURVIV Users Manual. National Biological Service, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD 20708-4017
Creation and Review Dates
SERF Creation Date:
2008-08-07
SERF Last Revision Date:
2008-08-07
Links
