کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
---|---|---|---|---|
1045892 | 944839 | 2007 | 9 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
![عکس صفحه اول مقاله: Inconstancy in predator/prey ratios in Quaternary large mammal communities of Italy, with an appraisal of mechanisms Inconstancy in predator/prey ratios in Quaternary large mammal communities of Italy, with an appraisal of mechanisms](/preview/png/1045892.png)
Constancy in predator/prey ratio (PPR) is a controversial issue in ecological research. Published reports support both constancy and inconstancy of the ratio in animal communities. Only a few studies, however, specifically address its course through time. Here we study the course of predator/prey ratio in communities of large Plio-Pleistocene mammals in Italy. After controlling for taphonomic biases, we find strong support for PPR inconstancy through time. Extinction, dispersal events, and differences in body size trends between predators and their prey were found to affect the ratio, which was distributed almost bimodally. We suggest that this stepwise dynamic in PPR indicates changes in ecosystem functioning. Prey richness was controlled by predation when PPR was high and by resources when PPR was low.
Journal: Quaternary Research - Volume 67, Issue 2, March 2007, Pages 255–263