Causes of variation in prey profitability and its consequences for the intake rate of the Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Prey species have different morphological and behavioural adaptations to escape their predators. In this paper we review how these prey defenses affect prey profitability and intake rate for one predator, the Oystercatcher. Four rules govern profitability. First, within each species large prey are more profitable than small prey, because flesh content increases more steeply with prey size than handling time. Second, soft-bodied prey, such as worms and leatherjackets, which can be swallowed whole, are much more profitable than armoured prey, such as bivalves, which Oystercatchers have to open b... Mehr ...