Does a Simple Cope's Rule Mechanism Overlook Predators?

Research Letters in Ecology

RobertKenward¹  VincenzoPenteriani¹ 

DOI  :  10.1155/2007/92684

学科分类：环境科学（综合）

来源: Hindawi Publishing Corporation

【 摘 要 】

The Cope’s rule predicts a tendency for species to evolve towards an increase in size. Recently, it has been suggested that such a tendency is due to the fact that large body sizes provide a general increase in individual fitness. Here we highlight evidence that predator species do not always fit the large-size = high-fitness mechanism for Cope’s rule. Given the specific requirements of predators and the complexity of prey-predator relationships, any analysis that does not take into account all animal groups may overlook a significant portion of evolutive trends. Generalisations may not be possible regardless of taxa.

【 授权许可】

Unknown