The role of vital dietary biomolecules in eco-evo-devo dynamics. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Závorka, Libor; Blanco, Andreu; Chaguaceda, Fernando; Cucherousset, Julien; Killen, Shaun S.; Liénart, Camilla; Mathieu-Resuge, Margaux; Němec, Pavel; Pilecky, Matthias; Scharnweber, Kristin; Twining, Cornelia W.; Kainz, Martin J.
• Is Part Of: Trends in ecology & evolution. Volume 38:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: biosynthesis -- nutrient flow -- trophic interactions -- adaptation -- plasticity -- eco-evo-devo feedbacks; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.08.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-5347

Abstract

Abstract : The physiological dependence of animals on dietary intake of vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids is ubiquitous. Sharp differences in the availability of these vital dietary biomolecules among different resources mean that consumers must adopt a range of strategies to meet their physiological needs. We review the emerging work on omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, focusing predominantly on predator–prey interactions, to illustrate that trade-off between capacities to consume resources rich in vital biomolecules and internal synthesis capacity drives differences in phenotype and fitness of consumers. This can then feedback to impact ecosystem functioning. We outline how focus on vital dietary biomolecules in eco-eco-devo dynamics can improve our understanding of anthropogenic changes across multiple levels of biological organization. Highlights: Availability of vital dietary biomolecules, such as vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids, is critical for the evolution and development of animals. Extensive evidence indicates that anthropogenic changes influence the distribution of vital dietary biomolecules in food webs. Shifts in the availability of these vital biomolecules can trigger far-reaching changes in phenotypes of consumers with potential cascading impacts on the functioning of the ecosystems. There is no unified integrative framework to study the role of vital dietary biomolecules in feedbacks between phenotypes of wild consumers and ecosystem functioning. We review evidence on omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) in prey–predator interactions to illustrate how vital dietary biomolecules moderate the feedbacks between behavioral, physiological, and life-history traits of wild consumers and the higher levels of biological organization.