Allometric and Stoichiometric Traits Predict Nutrient Excretion Rates by Benthic Consumers

Benthic consumers profoundly impact nutrient regeneration in coastal marine ecosystems. The concurrent imbalance and warming of our seas will change the nutritional requirements metabolic demands these consumers, which may affect their ability to recycle nitrogen phosphorous. Here we explore whether excretion rates two benthic Baltic clam ( Macoma balthica ) invasive spionid polychaete Marenzelleria spp.) can be quantified with basic biological traits across seasons using allometric stoichiometric relationships. We found species-specific N P that positively link traits, i.e., per individual increased body mass temperature; thus, high mass-specific characterized small relative large macrofaunal individuals. Interestingly, size scaling coefficients diverge from predictions by theory ecology (MTE) universal model excretion. Furthermore, stable isotope signatures (δ 13 C δ 15 N) explained a minor additional proportion variability among species. also varied strongly seasonally, highest recycling during summer months, when community NH 4 -N PO -P clearly exceeded net sediment efflux. seasonal pattern emphasized changes temperature food availability drove processes thus indicated effects could outweigh importance animal biomass. Our results highlight benefits quantifying contributions environments, predicting alteration function response environmental change.