Open AccessTesting Bergmann's rule in marine copepods
Author(s) -
Campbell Max D.,
Schoeman David S.,
Venables William,
AbuAlhaija Rana,
Batten Sonia D.,
Chiba Sanae,
Coman Frank,
Davies Claire H.,
Edwards Martin,
Eriksen Ruth S.,
Everett Jason D.,
Fukai Yutaka,
Fukuchi Mitsuo,
Esquivel Garrote Octavio,
Hosie Graham,
Huggett Jenny A.,
Johns David G.,
Kitchener John A.,
Koubbi Philippe,
McEnnulty Felicity R.,
Muxagata Erik,
Ostle Clare,
Robinson Karen V.,
Slotwinski Anita,
Swadling Kerrie M.,
Takahashi Kunio T.,
Tonks Mark,
UribePalomino Julian,
Verheye Hans M.,
Wilson William H.,
Worship Marco M.,
Yamaguchi Atsushi,
Zhang Wuchang,
Richardson Anthony J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/ecog.05545
Subject(s) - copepod , bergmann's rule , ecology , range (aeronautics) , latitude , taxon , crustacean , biology , geography , materials science , geodesy , composite material
Macroecological relationships provide insights into rules that govern ecological systems. Bergmann's rule posits that members of the same clade are larger at colder temperatures. Whether temperature drives this relationship is debated because several other potential drivers covary with temperature. We conducted a near‐global comparative analysis on marine copepods (97 830 samples, 388 taxa) to test Bergmann's rule, considering other potential drivers. Supporting Bergmann's rule, we found temperature better predicted size than did latitude or oxygen, with body size decreasing by 43.9% across the temperature range (‐1.7 to 30ºC). Body size also decreased by 26.9% across the range in food availability. Our results provide strong support for Bergman's rule in copepods, but emphasises the importance of other drivers in modifying this pattern. As the world warms, smaller copepod species are likely to emerge as ‘winners', potentially reducing rates of fisheries production and carbon sequestration.