UBIQUITY OF OMNIVORES IN NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS

Evolutionary ubiquity of omnivores in natural food webs derives from t he measurement dynamics of intra and inter trophic levels. It is recog nized that inter-level communication for the maintenance of energy flo w continuity takes longer than intra-level communication does. Althoug h the collapse of food webs due to depletion of the lower levels is in evitable according to the measurement dynamics, participation of omniv ores could extend the evolutionary durability of the food webs. (C) 19 97 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.