The bijection from data to parameter space with the standard DEB model quantifies the supply-demand spectrum

Area of Science:

• Zoology
• Ecology
• Physiology

Background:

• The standard Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model is a widely used framework for understanding animal energetics.
• The add_my_pet collection comprises over 300 animal species, representing most major phyla and all chordate classes.
• Previous research indicates the DEB model fits energy data effectively across a broad taxonomic range.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the applicability and accuracy of the standard Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model across a diverse collection of animal species.
• To investigate the relationship between the nine key parameters of the DEB model and nine observable data points.
• To explore the unique determination of DEB parameters independent of food availability and their link to eco-physiological properties.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the add_my_pet collection of over 300 animal species for model fitting and validation.
• Employing nine species-specific data points (e.g., weight at birth, age at puberty) to determine nine DEB model parameters.
• Developing an efficient algorithm for bidirectional mapping between data and parameter spaces and deriving boundary expressions.

Main Results:

• The standard DEB model demonstrates a strong fit to energy data for the studied animal species.
• Nine data points at abundant food uniquely determine nine DEB parameters, including those independent of food availability.
• A supply-demand spectrum was quantified, revealing distinct energetic control strategies across different vertebrate and invertebrate groups.

Conclusions:

• The DEB model provides a robust framework for understanding energy allocation and life-history traits in a wide array of animal species.
• The study establishes a clear bijection between observable data and DEB parameters, facilitating parameter estimation and evolutionary analysis.
• Species' positions on the supply-demand spectrum correlate with their eco-physiological properties and evolutionary strategies, offering insights into homeostasis and metabolic regulation.