Predator–prey interactions: is ‘ecological stoichiometry’ sufficient when good food goes bad?

Running title : Stoichiometric modulation Abstract The dietary value of a prey type varies with its nutritional status and hence with its C:N:P content. However, while stoichiometric differences between a heterotroph and its food must affect growth efficiency (GE), and thence trophic dynamics, other factors related to food quality may act as powerful modulators of predator-prey interactions. Thus, minor changes in prey stoichiometry can be associated with more significant changes in prey quality (production of toxins, mucus, thicker walls etc.) that may have a disproportionate effect on predation rates and GE. We term the predator response to such events, "stoichiometric modulations". Often these modulations are negative, decreasing predation and assimilation rates. We suggest that due consideration should be given in the construction of multinutrient based models of predators to the processes of prey selectivity, ingestion and digestion as functions of food quality and quantity.

[1]  Xabier Irigoien,et al.  Phytoplankton blooms: a ‘loophole’ in microzooplankton grazing impact? , 2005 .

[2]  K. Flynn,et al.  Nutritional Status and Diet Composition Affect the Value of Diatoms as Copepod Prey , 2005, Science.

[3]  F. Darchambeau,et al.  In situ filtration responses of Daphnia galeata to changes in food quality , 2005 .

[4]  E. Møller.  Sloppy feeding in marine copepods: prey-size-dependent production of dissolved organic carbon , 2004 .

[5]  J. Elser,et al.  Stoichiometry and population dynamics , 2004 .

[6]  R. Harris,et al.  Calanus the cannibal , 2004 .

[7]  Christopher F. Steiner.  Daphnia dominance and zooplankton community structure in fishless ponds , 2004 .

[8]  M. Genkai-Kato.  Nutritional value of algae: a critical control on the stability of Daphnia–algal systems , 2004 .

[9]  J. Elser,et al.  Biological stoichiometry of Daphnia growth: An ecophysiological test of the growth rate hypothesis , 2004 .

[10]  B. Han,et al.  Diel vertical migration of zooplankton following optimal food intake under predation , 2003 .

[11]  K. Davidson,et al.  The influence of changes in predation rates on marine microbial predator/prey interactions: A modelling study , 2003 .

[12]  J. Elser,et al.  Ecological Stoichiometry: The Biology of Elements from Molecules to the Biosphere , 2002 .

[13]  K. Flynn.  HOW CRITICAL IS THE CRITICAL N:P RATIO?1 , 2002 .

[14]  Kevin J. Flynn,et al.  Toxin production in migrating dinoflagellates: a modelling study of PSP producing Alexandrium , 2002 .

[15]  M. Alcaraz,et al.  Low grazing impact of mesozooplankton on the microbial communities of the Alboran Sea: a possible case of inhibitory effects by the toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum , 2002 .

[16]  T. R. Anderson,et al.  Stoichiometric theory extended to micronutrients: Comparison of the roles of essential fatty acids, carbon, and nitrogen in the nutrition of marine copepods , 2000 .

[17]  L. Legendre,et al.  Model of copepod growth influenced by the food carbon:nitrogen ratio and concentration, under the hypothesis of strict homeostasis , 1999 .

[18]  Robert W. Sterner,et al.  Modelling interactions of food quality and quantity in homeostatic consumers , 1997 .

[19]  M. Lürling,et al.  Altered cell wall morphology in nutrient‐deficient phytoplankton and its impact on grazers , 1997 .

[20]  R. Riegman,et al.  The ecophysiology of Phaeocystis globosa : A review , 1996 .

[21]  K. Davidson,et al.  Prey selection and rejection by a microflagellate; implications for the study and operation of microbial food webs , 1996 .

[22]  U. Båmstedt,et al.  Algal constraints on copepod grazing. Growth state, toxicity, cell size, and season as regulating factors , 1995 .

[23]  K. Davidson,et al.  Predator-prey interactions between Isochrysis galbana and Oxyrrhis marina. III. Mathematical modelling of predation and nutrient regeneration , 1995 .

[24]  T. R. Anderson,et al.  Carbon or nitrogen limitation in marine copepods , 1995 .

[25]  S. Jónasdóttir.  Effects of food quality on the reproductive success of Acartia tonsa and Acartia hudsonica: laboratory observations , 1994 .

[26]  A. Malej,et al.  Inhibition Of Copepod Grazing By Diatom Exudates - A Factor In The Development Of Mucus Aggregates , 1993 .

[27]  Dag O. Hessen,et al.  Nutrient Element Limitation of Zooplankton Production , 1992, The American Naturalist.

[28]  K. Flynn.  Interaction Between Nutrient and Predator Limitation of Production in the Marine Euphotic Zone , 1989 .

[29]  J. C. Goldman,et al.  Dynamics of Protistan Carbon and Nutrient Cycling1,2 , 1988 .

[30]  D. Turpin.  GROWTH RATE DEPENDENT OPTIMUM RATIOS IN SELENASTRUM MINUTUM (CHLOROPHYTA): IMPLICATIONS FOR COMPETITION, COEXISTENCE AND STABILITY IN PHYTOPLANKTON COMMUNITIES 1 2 , 1986 .

[31]  William A. Reiners,et al.  Complementary Models for Ecosystems , 1986, The American Naturalist.

[32]  J. C. Goldman,et al.  Experimental studies on an omnivorous microflagellate: implications for grazing and nutrient regeneration in the marine microbial food chain , 1985 .

[33]  M. Huntley,et al.  Food-Limited Growth of Marine Zooplankton , 1984, The American Naturalist.

[34]  G. Rhee,et al.  OPTIMUM N:P RATIOS AND COEXISTENCE OF PLANKTONIC ALGAE 1 , 1980 .

[35]  T. R. Anderson,et al.  Effect of food quality on carbon and nitrogen growth efficiency in the copepod Acartia tonsa , 2002 .

[36]  P. Calow.  Blackwell's concise encyclopedia of ecology , 1999 .

[37]  E. Granéli,et al.  Cellular toxin contents in relation to nutrient conditions for different groups of phycotoxins , 1998 .

[38]  K. Davidson,et al.  A first attempt of model factors affecting the ingestion of prey by the dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina , 1995 .

[39]  K. Davidson,et al.  Predator-prey interactions between Isochrysis galbana and Oxyrrhis marina. II. Release of non-protein amines and faeces during predation of Isochrysis , 1993 .

[40]  R. Riegman,et al.  Phaeocystis blooming enhanced by copepod predation on protozoa: evidence from incubation experiments , 1993 .

[41]  T. R. Anderson.  Modelling the influence of food C:N ratio, and respiration on growth and nitrogen excretion in marine zooplankton and bacteria , 1992 .

[42]  T. Kiørboe.  Phytoplankton growth rate and nitrogen content: implications for feeding and fecundity in a herbivorous copepod , 1989 .

[43]  Sheina M. Marshall,et al.  Respiration and feeding in copepods , 1973 .