Application of an analytical model measuring tolerance of an oribatid community (Acari) to continuously increasing drought

This paper describes the application of a stochastic model developed to analyse the tolerance of individuals to moisture levels the intensity of which changes with time. The model measures the "instantaneous rate of escape" ( lambda ) that the individuals exhibit when facing desiccation. The abrupt changes of lambda are detected by measuring maximum-likelihood ratio. This allows categorisation of a set of individuals according to increasing levels of tolerance to desiccation (low, high, and at least one intermediate level).