THE EFFECT OF PREY AND PREDATOR DENSITIES ON WOLF PREDATION

摘要: Predator kills rate (i.e., per predator time) is routinely presupposed to depend exclusively on prey density. However, capita rates of killing may typically the density both and predator. Unfortunately, our perception many ecological phenomena be limited by inappropriate assumption that kill do not One ways represent influence ratio-dependent predation, where depends ratio rather than actual numbers Determining role dependency in predation theory has been contentious. Assessments have primarily theoretical considerations, indirect evidence, simplified laboratory demonstrations. We directly observed an unmanipulated terrestrial system large mammals— wolves ( Canis lupus) moose (Alces alces). explained more variation did (R 2 5 0.36 vs. R 0.17, respectively). Moreover, model greatly outperformed prey-dependent model. Nevertheless, failed explain most 0.34). The ratio-dependent-prey-dependent controversy dissipate with greater appreciation acknowledgment models overly simplistic, value, neither deserves primacy.