Description
Calculate the visible fraction and unseen count of a recorded animal group.
Zoological records separate specimen identity, preparation, anatomical side, behavioral codes and the sources assigning those labels. A specimen name or status is a claim with provenance, while an observation share depends on a stated denominator. Preserving these conventions helps compare records without treating a transcription or visibility count as taxonomic identification or an animal-health assessment.
Calculate the visible fraction and unseen count of a recorded animal group.
When to use this tool
Use Animal Group Visibility Fraction when you already have visibleIndividuals, recordedGroupSize and need to calculate the visible fraction and unseen count of a recorded animal group.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter visibleIndividuals, recordedGroupSize. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read visibleFraction, unseenCount, defined. Inspect defined before interpreting the associated values.
Require safe whole group size>=0 and visible count within the group. Return visible/group and group-visible; for group=0 return fraction=0 with defined=false.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| visibleIndividuals | Visible Individuals | Required. Safe integer; minimum 0. |
| recordedGroupSize | Recorded Group Size | Required. Safe integer; minimum 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| visibleFraction | Visible Fraction | Required. Finite number. |
| unseenCount | Unseen Count | Required. Safe integer. |
| defined | False only for zero recorded group size; visibleFraction=0 is then a placeholder. | Required. Boolean. |
{
"input": {
"visibleIndividuals": 8,
"recordedGroupSize": 10
},
"output": {
"visibleFraction": 0.8,
"unseenCount": 2,
"defined": true
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- The recorded group size is the denominator; visibility does not estimate actual abundance or detect unrecorded animals.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
For identity or type status, inspect the original specimen record and cited nomenclatural authority. For behavior or visibility, review the actual observation series and its codebook; this helper preserves one stated label or counting convention.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Animal Resting Respiration Observation Share
Calculate usable respiration-observation time as a share of resting observation time.
- Animal Identity Uncertainty Tag
Attach a candidate animal identity and a supplied confirmation flag to an observation.