Estimation of population size based on additive hazards models for continuous-time recapture experiments

Abstract

We use the semiparametric additive hazards model to formulate the effects of individual covariates on the capture rates in the continuous-time capture-recapture experiment, and then construct a Horvitz-Thompson-type estimator for the unknown population size. The resulting estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal with an easily estimated variance. Simulation studies show that the asymptotic approximations are adequate for practical use when the average capture probabilities exceed .5 Ignoring covariates would underestimate the population size and the coverage probability is poor A wildlife example is provided.