Density—body size allometry does not exist in a chironomid community on Myriophyllum

SUMMARY.1  It has been proposed that population density is allometrically related to body size for a wide range of animal species. An interesting question is whether this applies to species within a specific community or trophic guild, thus constituting a ‘pattern’ of community structure. 2  Density‐body size allometry can be translated into the relationship between population biomass ( B ) and population density ( N ). If the regression coefficient b in log B = a + b log N approximates 1, there is no allometric relation between density and body size. 3  Data from an epiphytic chironomid community show b∼1, thus indicating that no density‐body size allometry exists in this community. 4  Biomass is less equitably distributed than numbers among species in this and many other communities. 5  There is some difficulty in extending the logic of the density‐body size allometry to many invertebrate communities, where body size is a strongly time‐dependent, variable trait.