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Methods of Modelling the Age Dependent Ration Changes of Plankton Crustaceans Feeding on Variable Quality Food
Author(s) -
Gruzov Lev N.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
internationale revue der gesamten hydrobiologie und hydrographie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1522-2632
pISSN - 0020-9309
DOI - 10.1002/iroh.19850700503
Subject(s) - allometry , calanoida , trophic level , plankton , predation , biology , crustacean , range (aeronautics) , ecology , function (biology) , quality (philosophy) , biological system , statistics , mathematics , zoology , copepod , evolutionary biology , physics , materials science , composite material , quantum mechanics
Methods of formalizing trophic interactions within plankton communities are discussed on the basis of correlations observed between prey size and specific and age‐dependent features of the consumer. The nature of the functional reaction of copepods to changes in food quality is specific to the different age groups. Allometric types of relation between food ration and body size cannot describe these phenomena. An alternative method based on the notions of minimum, maximum and optimum prey size changing in the course of ontogeny is suggested. The values of the parameters are identified for the species of Temoridae and Acartiidae (Copepoda, Calanoida), and a range of examples proves satisfactory reproducibility of the experimental data concerning mono‐ and polyphagy. This paper presents a biological interpretation of the parameters that suggest their functional connection with mesh size, mouth size and the ability of copepods to dismember large objects into portions. Optimum food size is expressed as a function of age and size of modal class particles that enabled “switching” of food as a result of changes in the component ratio in the environment and different capturing capabilities to be modelled. Some conclusions resulting from the model are discussed.