University researchers have debunked the dogma that predators aren’t picky eaters – with a new study finding that if they are given a choice of foods, predators will select a diet that maximises their chances of reproducing.
The researchers, including an Australian, have shown for the first time that predatory animals choose their food on the basis of its nutritional value, rather than just overall calorie content. The findings are based on a study of the ground beetle, Anchomenus dorsalis, a garden insect that feasts on slugs, aphids, moths, beetle larvae and ants.
Prof Stephen Simpson, University of Sydney
Proceedings of the Royal Society B; http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=8465