A general scaling law reveals why the largest animals are not the fastest

Hirt, Myriam R.; Jetz, Walter; Rall, Björn C.; Brose, Ulrich

doi:10.1038/s41559-017-0241-4

Cited by 129 publications

(244 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…We think that this mainly results from our use of generic, simplified allometric equations to describe important parameters in the model, such as prey population densities, maximum accelerations and detection distances. Recent advances in the field of allometry have shown that the effect of body size can be more complicated than previously acknowledged (Hirt, Jetz, Rall, & Brose, ; Pawar et al, ; Wilson et al, ), although it is still predictable (Kiørboe & Hirst, ). Our model's predictability would certainly benefit from an increase in the realism of the allometric equations it uses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mechanics of predator–prey interactions: First principles of physics predict predator–prey size ratios

et al. 2018

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Robust predictions of predator–prey interactions are fundamental for the understanding of food webs, their structure, dynamics, resistance to species loss, response to invasions and ecosystem function. Most current food web models measure parameters at the food web level to predict patterns at the same level. Thus, they are sensitive to the quality of the data and may be ineffective in predicting non‐observed interactions and disturbed food webs. There is a need for mechanistic models that predict the occurrence of a predator–prey interaction based on lower levels of organization (i.e. the traits of organisms) and the properties of their environment. Here, we present such a model that focuses on the predation act itself. We built a Newtonian, mechanical model for the processes of searching, capturing and handling of a prey item by a predator. Associated with general metabolic laws, we predict the net energy gain from predation for pairs of pelagic or flying predator species and their prey depending on their body sizes. Predicted interactions match well with data from the most extensive predator–prey database, and overall model accuracy is greater than the allometric niche model. Our model shows that it is possible to accurately predict the structure of food webs using only a few mechanical traits. It underlines the importance of physical constraints in structuring food webs. A http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2435.13254/suppinfo is available for this article.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mechanics of predator–prey interactions: First principles of physics predict predator–prey size ratios

et al. 2018

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“…A wide range of individual‐ to community‐level characteristics are influenced by body size, including abundance, metabolic rate, movement speed, or growth rate (Gillooly, Brown, West, Savage, & Charnov, ; Hirt, Jetz, et al, ; White et al, ). In order to make realistic predictions of these measures, it is essential to have reliable body mass data of target organisms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For further background on the prediction accuracy methodology and results, please refer to the Supporting Information). Hirt, Jetz, et al, 2017;White et al, 2007). In order to make realistic predictions of these measures, it is essential to have reliable body mass data of target organisms.…”

Section: Re Sultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From the individual to the community level, a vast range of properties scale with body size. Body size determines various aspects of an organism's individual biology, such as life history, behavior, range size, movement, and physiology (Bekoff, Diamond, & Mitton, ; Hirt, Jetz, Rall, & Brose, ; White, Ernest, Kerkhoff, & Enquist, ; Woodward et al, ). Aspects shaping arthropod communities such as species abundance, biomass production, trophic link structure, and species interaction strengths are also related to the body size of constituent individuals and populations (Belgrano, Allen, Enquist, & Gillooly, ; Boudreau, Dickie, & Kerr, ; Brose, Williams, & Martinez, ; Kalinkat et al, ; Rall et al, ; Riede et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applying generalized allometric regressions to predict live body mass of tropical and temperate arthropods

Sohlström

Marian

Barnes

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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The ecological implications of body size extend from the biology of individual organisms to ecosystem‐level processes. Measuring body mass for high numbers of invertebrates can be logistically challenging, making length–mass regressions useful for predicting body mass with minimal effort. However, standardized sets of scaling relationships covering a large range in body length, taxonomic groups, and multiple geographical regions are scarce. We collected 6,212 arthropods from 19 higher‐level taxa in both temperate and tropical locations to compile a comprehensive set of linear models relating live body mass to a range of predictor variables. We measured live weight (hereafter, body mass), body length and width of each individual and conducted linear regressions to predict body mass using body length, body width, taxonomic group, and geographic region. Additionally, we quantified prediction discrepancy when using parameters from arthropods of a different geographic region. Incorporating body width into taxon‐ and region‐specific length–mass regressions yielded the highest prediction accuracy for body mass. Using regression parameters from a different geographic region increased prediction discrepancy, causing over‐ or underestimation of body mass depending on geographical origin and whether body width was included. We present a comprehensive range of parameters for predicting arthropod body mass and provide guidance for selecting optimal scaling relationships. Given the importance of body mass for functional invertebrate ecology and the paucity of adequate regressions to predict arthropod body mass from different geographical regions, our study provides a long‐needed resource for quantifying live body mass in invertebrate ecology research.

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“…Some scientists consider T. Rex the largest terrestrial super-predator that needed speeds greater than 60 km/h (17 m/s) to capture its prey [1]. Some recent publications indicate that it wasn't able to run at all due to its large mass and significant loads on the skeleton and limit its walking speed to 5-7.5 m/s [2,3]. However, the speed of the African Bush elephant (Loxodonta africana, the herbivorous animal of similar weight -8 t) may exceed 11 m/s [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tyrannosaurus Rex Running? Estimations of Efficiency, Speed and Acceleration

Nesteruk

2018

Innov Biosyst Bioeng

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Background. The estimations of maximum speed of Tyrannosaurus Rex vary from 5 to 20 m/s and higher and still are the subject of scientific discussion. Some scientists consider T. Rex the largest terrestrial superpredator that needed speeds greater than 60 km/h (17 m/s) to capture its prey. Some recent publications indicate that it wasn't able to run at all due to its large mass and significant loads on the skeleton and limit its walking speed to 5-7.5 m/s. Objective. We will try to answer the question of whether large animal or robot sizes are an obstacle to rapid running and to evaluate the maximum possible speed of T. Rex. Methods. We will use: a) two energy efficiency indicators -the drag-to-weight ratio or the cost of motion and the recently developed capacity-efficiency (connected with the power-to-weight ratio or metabolic rate); b) the vertical acceleration estimations; c) the available data about the speed, the stride and the leg length of human and animals. Results. The drag-to-weight ratio and the capacity-efficiency were estimated for running of different animals and humans. It was shown that the maximal running speed of T. Rex may reach the values 21-29 m/s. The values of its vertical acceleration are typical for bipedal running. Conclusions. Large dimensions of Tyrannosaurus Rex couldn't be an obstacle to achieving rather high speeds during short intervals of fast running. Such conclusions allow us not to abandon the assertion that the dinosaur was a super-predator. Presented approach could be useful for studying locomotion in modern and fossil animals, human sport activity and for design of fast bipedal robots.

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A general scaling law reveals why the largest animals are not the fastest

Cited by 129 publications

References 43 publications

The mechanics of predator–prey interactions: First principles of physics predict predator–prey size ratios

The mechanics of predator–prey interactions: First principles of physics predict predator–prey size ratios

Applying generalized allometric regressions to predict live body mass of tropical and temperate arthropods

Tyrannosaurus Rex Running? Estimations of Efficiency, Speed and Acceleration

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