Effects of size and temperature on developmental time

James. F. Gillooly (), Eric L. Charnov, Geoffrey B. West, Savage Van M. and James H. Brown
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James. F. Gillooly: The University of New Mexico
Eric L. Charnov: The University of New Mexico
Geoffrey B. West: Santa Fe Institute
Savage Van M.: Santa Fe Institute
James H. Brown: The University of New Mexico

Nature, 2002, vol. 417, issue 6884, 70-73

Abstract: Abstract Body size and temperature are the two most important variables affecting nearly all biological rates and times1,2,3,4,5,6,7. The relationship of size and temperature to development is of particular interest, because during ontogeny size changes and temperature often varies8,9,10,11,12. Here we derive a general model, based on first principles of allometry and biochemical kinetics, that predicts the time of ontogenetic development as a function of body mass and temperature. The model fits embryonic development times spanning a wide range of egg sizes and incubation temperatures for birds and aquatic ectotherms (fish, amphibians, aquatic insects and zooplankton). The model also describes nearly 75% of the variation in post-embryonic development among a diverse sample of zooplankton. The remaining variation is partially explained by stoichiometry, specifically the whole-body carbon to phosphorus ratio. Development in other animals at other life stages is also described by this model. These results suggest a general definition of biological time that is approximately invariant and common to all organisms.

Date: 2002
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DOI: 10.1038/417070a

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