Biometrical Journal * (*) *, zzz–zzz / DOI: 10.1002/* Parameter redundancy in mark-recovery models

Received zzz, revised zzz, accepted zzz We provide a definitive guide to parameter redundancy in mark-recovery models, indicating, for a wide range of models, in which all the parameters are estimable, and in which models they are not. For these parameter-redundant models we identify the parameter combinations that can be estimated. Simple, general results are obtain, which hold irrespective of the duration of the studies. We also examine the effect real data have on whether or not models are parameter redundant, and show that results can be robust even with very sparse data. Covariates, as well as time-varying or age-varying trends, can be added to models to overcome redundancy problems. We show how to determine, without further calculation, whether or not models with covariates or trends are still parameter redundant. Key words: Ecology; extrinsic identifiability; intrinsic identifiability; ring-recovery; tag-recovery models; Supporting Information for this article is available from the author or on the WWW unde