Journal article
Reconsidering the mechanistic basis of the metabolic theory of ecology
Oikos, v 116(6), pp 1058-1072
Jun 2007
Abstract
The recently proposed metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) claims to provide a mechanistic explanation for long known allometric relationships between mass and metabolic rate. The MTE postulates that these patterns of allometry are driven by the primary selective constraint of transport of energy and materials. However, recent evidence along several different lines has called into question both the adequacy and the universality of this mechanism. We review the accumulating body of literature on this subject, adding our own concerns and criticisms. In addition to other difficulties, we argue that MTE fails as a mechanistic explanation of mass versus metabolic rate allometries because: 1) circulatory cost minimization is not a tenable criterion for evolutionary optimization, 2) the Boltzmann type relationships on which MTE depends are inadequate descriptors of complex metabolic pathways, and 3) most of the hypotheses advanced by the MTE do not, in fact, depend on the proposed mechanism and therefore cannot be used to test the theory. We conclude that the MTE should be abandoned as a monolithic explanation for allometric patterns, and that a more realistic path toward a better understanding of allometry would be to consider multiple explanatory mechanisms for physiological allometries.
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82 citations in Web of Science
Details
- Title
- Reconsidering the mechanistic basis of the metabolic theory of ecology
- Creators
- Michael P. O'Connor (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, BiologyStanley J. Kemp - Dept. of Biology, Pennsylvania State Univ., Berks Campus, United StatesSalvatore J. Agosta - Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Pennsylvania, United StatesFrank Hansen - Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Pennsylvania, United StatesAnnette E. Sieg - Dept. of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Drexel Univ., United StatesBryan P. Wallace - Pennsylvania State UniversityJames N. McNair - Patrick Center for Environmental Research, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, United StatesArthur E. Dunham - Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Pennsylvania, United States
- Publication Details
- Oikos, v 116(6), pp 1058-1072
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 15
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES); Biology; [Retired Faculty]
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-34248356288
- Other Identifier
- 991014877996704721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Ecology