Non-random foraging behavior and aggregated distribution of individuals can explain macroscopic spatial distribution of microbial populations

Takeshi Miki (Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University)

Marine pelagic microbial food web models often assume Holling Type functional response for describing trophic interactions between resource and consumer. However, such models cannot reproduce even a simple observed pattern in food chain, i.e. the log-log linear relationship between resource and consumer abundance along gradient of productivity. In order to resolve this problem, I have derive a new functional response through considering non-random foraging behavior and aggregated distribution of microbial individuals. A food chain model with this new functional response can better explain the observed pattern in deep oceans. This example posts a warming about a blind belief and use of traditional formulation in population biology.