Empirical relationships between predator and prey size among terrestrial vertebrate predators.

摘要: In an effort to make complex food web relations more tractable, published data on the habits of terrestrial vertebrate predators were analyzed for patterns in use prey by size. Regressions weight predator run and provided descriptions both relationship between mean variation weights taken predators. Separate models proved necessary three trophic specializations: insectivores, piscivores carnivores. Insectivores found take proportionately much smaller than Mean tends decrease slightly relative among larger while ratio increase with carnivore On average, insectivores also a relatively wider range, sizes all respects, intermediate These produce log-normal approximations frequency distributions (by weight) ration from knowledge predators's body mass. Combined allometric bionergetics productivity animals, these are used predict, that: (1) daily kill rate declines (2) upper limit biomass is independent weight.