The Combined Effects of Warming and Body Size on the Stability of Predator-Prey Interactions

Environmental temperature and body size are two prominent drivers of predation. Despite the ample evidence their independent effects, combined impact predator-prey ratio on strength stability trophic interactions is not fully understood. We experimentally tested how water alters functional response population dragonfly nymphs ( Cordulegaster boltonii ) feeding freshwater amphipods Gammarus pulex across a gradient ratios. Attack coefficients were highest for small predators prey at low temperatures, but shifted toward largest larger in warmer environments. Handling time appeared to decrease with increasing predator cold environment, increase higher temperatures. These findings indicate interactive effects responses. There was also negative effect warming populations, this counteracted by Here, greater Hill exponent reduced densities when much than prey, enhancing persistence both populations environment. experimental provide new mechanistic insights into destabilizing key role ratios mitigating these effects.