bioRxiv Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.05.20.444891

Universal allometry from empirical parameters

McKerral, J. C.·Kleshnina, M.·Bartle, L.·Mitchell, J. G.·Filar, J. A.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Allometric settings of population dynamics models are appealing due to their parsimonious nature and broad utility when studying system level effects. Here, we parameterise the size-scaled Rosenzweig-Macarthur ODEs to eliminate prey-mass dependency. We define the functional response term to match experiments, and examine situations where metabolic theory derivations and observation diverge. We produce dynamics consistent with observation. Our parameterisation of the Rosenzweig-Macarthur system is an accurate minimal model across 15+ orders of mass magnitude.

Explore related subjects

ecologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

McKerral, J. C., Kleshnina, M., Bartle, L., Mitchell, J. G., Filar, J. A.. 2021-05-22. Universal allometry from empirical parameters. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.20.444891

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Phenotypic variation in divergent mitochondrial haplotypes in migratory three-spined stickleback

Mitochondria are essential components in life-sustaining organismal processes. The mitochondrial genome can be influenced by selection, and divergent mitochondrial haplotypes have substantial potential to affect interspecies variation in life-history and physiology, yet little is known about whole organism phenotypic changes that might accompany mitochondrial genomic divergence. Three-spined stickleback on the Scottish island of North Uist provide a model to study this as their populations exhibit a well-mixed nuclear genome, yet two highly diverged mitochondrial haplotypes ( trans-Atlantic and European). Three-spined stickleback were sampled from six lochs to investigate associations between mitochondrial haplotype and phenotypic traits including organ size, body size, and ovule volume/clutch size, as well as citrate synthase enzyme activity. Results showed that mitochondrial haplotype has an influence on male gonadosomatic index (GSI) and potentially citrate synthase (CS) enzyme activity. Differences in male GSI may be explained by the timing of male spermatogenesis or potentially a need for larger testes in European haplotype fish. While no other phenotypic trait showed differences between mitochondrial haplotypes, there were many differences between sexes and populations e.g. in body size and organ/muscle size.

ecology↗
bioRxiv2026

Gregariousness can promote invasion success of pest insects while higher environmental heterogeneity decreases it

Climate change and environmental homogenization are expected to facilitate the expansion of many forest pest insect species and increase the vulnerability of forest ecosystems to insect outbreaks. At present, we lack empirical data on how the antipredator defence traits of pest insects interact with the local environmental conditions and shape outbreak risk. Here we study this and ask 1) how the antipredator defence strategy of pest insects shapes survival under naturally varying predator community, and 2) how is predation risk shaped by the diversity and structure of forests? We tested these questions by conducting a field predation experiment with artificial prey system (prey items made from edible dough) where we manipulated the gregariousness, unpalatability and defensive colouration of prey and tested their effects on prey survival. Additionally, we measured environmental variables and invertebrate predator community structure along the prey transects to analyse how they shape overall predation risk. Our results show that the predation risk was always lowest for gregarious prey irrespective of other defence strategies. Furthermore, our results indicate that predation pressure was lower in more homogenously structured forest areas or areas with a weak quality deadwood continuum in comparison to locations with more natural state forests and good quality deadwood continuum. Altogether, our results suggest that gregariousness can facilitate pest insects to form outbreaks by increasing their survival against generalist predators. However, by maintaining higher heterogeneity in forests, it is possible to ensure higher predation pressure to regulate their population growth.

ecology↗
bioRxiv2026

The ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Iceland

The native terrestrial biota of Iceland required long oceanic journeys to colonize the island. Human colonization of Iceland, however, has allowed many less vagile species, such as ants, to reach the island. We compiled published, unpublished, and new records of ants from Iceland and evaluated the probable origin and current status of each species. We analyzed 565 records compiled by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History (1974-2020) and 84 new records (2019-2023) representing 25 species. Only five species were found living outdoors: Hypoponera ergatandria (507x indoors and 9x outdoors, mostly in geothermal areas), Lasius niger (24x indoors and 12x outdoors away from heated buildings), Hypoponera eduardi (5x only in geothermal areas), Lasius platythorax (1x near a small greenhouse and 1x in imported plant material), and Myrmica rubra (1x in an urban garden). Three ant species were exclusively found inhabiting heated buildings: Monomorium pharaonis (41x), Tapinoma melanocephalum (10x), and Monomorium nr. pharaonis (3x). Records of the remaining 17 species all appear to be based on temporary infestations, found on recently imported plant material. Previous records from Iceland of Hypoponera punctatissima appear to be based on misidentifications. Although it is possible that some ants were present before human arrival, all 25 ant species may have arrived accompanying humans. It remains to be seen whether any of these ant species are having or will have a significant impact on the native Icelandic biota. The arrival of Myrmica rubra in Iceland is particularly worrisome, given the impact this species is having in other high latitude areas it has invaded.

ecology↗