The influence of initial age structure on predator-prey interaction

Citation
T. Hance et G. Van Impe, The influence of initial age structure on predator-prey interaction, ECOL MODEL, 114(2-3), 1999, pp. 195-211
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
ISSN journal
03043800 → ACNP
Volume
114
Issue
2-3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
195 - 211
Database
ISI
SICI code
0304-3800(19990101)114:2-3<195:TIOIAS>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Initial age structure influences the growth of a prey population and the ou tcome of the predator-prey interaction. In order to quantify that influence , we employed a simple numerical model using experimental data from the sys tem Tetranychus urticae-Phytoseiulus persimilis. Four major points were dra wn from the results: (1) A population created by young females grows much f aster than a population created by the same number of females but distribut ed among the stable age structure. Final number of individuals after a few generations is then much higher than what a plant could support. Consequent ly, a stable age structure is probably never achieved under these condition s; (2) In the presence of a predator, such a population can persist for a s ufficiently long time to overexploit its host plant and to produce enough i ndividuals to allow dispersal; (3) The impact of the predator on the prey p opulation is drastically different according to its own age structure at th e beginning of the interaction; and (4) Predators disturb the prey age stru cture during the course of interactions and thus maintain the prey growth p otential at a high level. These points constitute an important adaptation t hat determine the persistence of the prey and the predator at a metapopulat ion level. They bring a new insight on the adaptive characters of young fem ale dispersal. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.