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Updated: May 9, 2026

Modeling the Size Spectrum for Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Stream Ecosystems
Published on: July 30, 2019
Coexistence of structured populations with size-based prey selection.
Martin Hartvig1, Ken Haste Andersen
1Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Charlottenlund Slot, Jægersborg Allé 1, DK-2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark; Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden.
Species with ontogenetic trophic niche shifts can exhibit complex population dynamics, including resource-driven and cannibalistic states. Two species can coexist through competitive or trophic ladder mechanisms, but more species require greater trait differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Theoretical Ecology
- Population Dynamics
Background:
- Species with large adult-offspring size ratios and preferred predator-prey mass ratios undergo ontogenetic trophic niche shifts.
- Trophic interactions and community structure vary with species' life history and adult sizes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the assembly and coexistence of ecological communities where all species experience ontogenetic trophic niche shifts.
- To investigate how life-history traits, specifically size at maturation, influence community dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a physiologically structured model to describe species life histories.
- Characterized species identity by their size at maturation trait.
- Analyzed community assembly and coexistence based on these life-history traits.
Main Results:
- A single species can exist in either a 'resource driven state' or a 'cannibalistic state', with potential for Allee effects and bistable population dynamics.
- Two species can coexist in a 'competitive coexistence' state (low resource, specific size ratios) or a 'trophic ladder' state (larger size ratio differences).
- Coexistence scope for three or more species is limited, suggesting a need for greater trait differentiation in species-rich communities.
Conclusions:
- Ontogenetic trophic niche shifts significantly impact community structure and species coexistence.
- Size at maturation is a critical trait for determining coexistence mechanisms in size-structured communities.
- Limited trait differentiation restricts the coexistence of multiple species in these size-structured ecological communities.
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