JPR Advance Access originally published online on May 16, 2005
Journal of Plankton Research 2005 27(5):393-399; doi:10.1093/plankt/fbi022
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HORIZONS |
Predator–prey interactions: is ‘ecological stoichiometry’ sufficient when good food goes bad?
Institute of Environmental Sustainability, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
* Corresponding Author: A.Mitra{at}swansea.ac.uk
Received November 27, 2004; accepted in principle March 1, 2005; accepted for publication March 29, 2005; published online May 16, 2005
Communicating editor: R. P. Harris
The dietary value of a prey type varies with its nutritional status and hence with its C:N:P content. However, while stoichiometric differences between a heterotroph and its food must affect growth efficiency (GE), and thence trophic dynamics, other factors related to food quality may act as powerful modulators of predator–prey interactions. Thus, minor changes in prey stoichiometry can be associated with more significant changes in prey quality (production of toxins, mucus, thicker walls etc.) that may have a disproportionate effect on predation rates and GE. We term the predator response to such events, ‘stoichiometric modulations’. Often these modulations are negative, decreasing predation and assimilation rates. We suggest that due consideration should be given in the construction of multinutrient-based models of predators to the processes of prey selectivity, ingestion and digestion as functions of food quality with quantity.
Written responses to this article should be submitted to Roger Harris at rph{at}pml.ac.uk within two months of publication. For further information, please see the Editorial ‘Horizons’ in Journal of Plankton Research, Volume 26, Number 3, Page 257
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