Does consumption rate scale superlinearly?

Henrique C. Giacomini (), Brian J. Shuter, Derrick T. de Kerckhove and Peter A. Abrams
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Henrique C. Giacomini: University of Toronto, 25 Harbord St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
Brian J. Shuter: University of Toronto, 25 Harbord St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
Derrick T. de Kerckhove: University of Toronto, 25 Harbord St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
Peter A. Abrams: University of Toronto, 25 Harbord St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada

Nature, 2013, vol. 493, issue 7434, E1-E2

Abstract: Abstract Arising from S. Pawar, A. I. Dell & V. M. Savage Nature 486, 485–489 (2012) A recent paper by Pawar and colleagues1 has provided important insights into the consequences of foraging behaviour for food-web dynamics. One notable pattern predicted by their analysis is that consumption rate (c) scales superlinearly (c m1.16) with consumer body mass (m) in three-dimensional (3D), but not two-dimensional (2D), foraging spaces. Although we feel that the authors should be applauded for this interesting contribution, we argue that their result is not consistent with established life-history theory. To resolve this contradiction, progress in both fields is probably required, including new empirical studies in which consumption rate, metabolism and dimensionality are examined directly under natural conditions.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/nature11829

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