Paper detail

On the Allometric Scaling of Resource Intake Under Limiting Conditions

Individual resource intake rates are known to depend on both individual body size and resource availability. Here, we have developed a model to integrate these two drivers, accounting explicitly for the scaling of perceived resource availability with individual body size. The model merges a Kleiber-like scaling law with Holling functional responses into a single mathematical framework, involving both body-size the density of resources. When the availability of resources is held constant the model predicts a relationship between resource intake rates and body sizes whose log-log graph is a concave curve. The significant deviation from a power law accounts for the body size dependency of resource limitations. The model results are consistent with data from both a laboratory experiment on benthic macro-invertebrates and the available literature.