Prey selection along a predators' body size gradient evidences the role of different trait-based mechanisms in food web organization.

ABSTRACT: An increase in prey richness, prey size and predator trophic position with predator body size has been consistently reported as prime features of food web organization. These trends have been explained by non-exclusive mechanisms. First, the increase in energy demand with body size determines that larger predators must reduce prey selectivity for achieving the required number of resources, being consumption relationships independent of prey traits. Second, when consumption is restricted by gape limitation, small predators are constrained to select among small prey. However, this selection weakens over large predators, which progressively consume more and larger prey. Finally, the optimal foraging mechanism predicts that larger predators optimize their diet by selecting only large prey with

SUBMITTER: Ortiz E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10553361 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature