Community ecology Predator – prey body size relationships when predators can consume prey larger than themselves
نویسندگان
چکیده
As predator–prey interactions are inherently size-dependent, predator and prey body sizes are key to understanding their feeding relationships. To describe predator–prey size relationships (PPSRs) when predators can consume prey larger than themselves, we conducted field observations targeting three aquatic hemipteran bugs, and assessed their body masses and those of their prey for each hunting event. The data revealed that their PPSR varied with predator size and species identity, although the use of the averaged sizes masked these effects. Specifically, two predators had slightly decreased predator–prey mass ratios (PPMRs) during growth, whereas the other predator specialized on particular sizes of prey, thereby showing a clear positive size–PPMR relationship. We discussed how these patterns could be different from fish predators swallowing smaller prey whole.
منابع مشابه
Predator-prey body size relationships when predators can consume prey larger than themselves.
As predator-prey interactions are inherently size-dependent, predator and prey body sizes are key to understanding their feeding relationships. To describe predator-prey size relationships (PPSRs) when predators can consume prey larger than themselves, we conducted field observations targeting three aquatic hemipteran bugs, and assessed their body masses and those of their prey for each hunting...
متن کاملDo intraspecific or interspecific interactions determine responses to predators feeding on a shared size-structured prey community?
Coexistence of predators that share the same prey is common. This is still the case in size-structured predator communities where predators consume prey species of different sizes (interspecific prey responses) or consume different size classes of the same species of prey (intraspecific prey responses). A mechanism has recently been proposed to explain coexistence between predators that differ ...
متن کاملTrophic links and the relationship between predator and prey body sizes in food webs
Postprint This is the accepted version of a paper published in Community Ecology. This paper has been peer-reviewed but does not include the final publisher proof-corrections or journal pagination. Trophic links and the relationship between predator and prey body sizes in food webs. Access to the published version may require subscription. Abstract 1 The relationship between predator and prey b...
متن کاملSeasonal shifts in predator body size diversity and trophic interactions in size-structured predator-prey systems.
1. Theory suggests that the relationship between predator diversity and prey suppression should depend on variation in predator traits such as body size, which strongly influences the type and strength of species interactions. Prey species often face a range of different sized predators, and the composition of body sizes of predators can vary between communities and within communities across se...
متن کاملGo big or … don't? A field-based diet evaluation of freshwater piscivore and prey fish size relationships
Body size governs predator-prey interactions, which in turn structure populations, communities, and food webs. Understanding predator-prey size relationships is valuable from a theoretical perspective, in basic research, and for management applications. However, predator-prey size data are limited and costly to acquire. We quantified predator-prey total length and mass relationships for several...
متن کامل