Meeting Abstract

S1-5.3  Jan. 6  The allometry of suspension feeding HUMPHRIES, Stuart; University of Sheffield, UK s.humphries@sheffield.ac.uk

Suspension feeders exhibit convergence in feeding morphology due to limits imposed by hydrosol collection mechanisms. Previous cross-group scaling studies have been limited in extent, but here I present results from an investigation based on a dataset of 403 species across 24 broad taxonomic groupings. I relate body size to the size of feeding appendages and to food sizes to explore the scaling relationships within broad groupings such as passive and active feeders, and uni- and multicellular species. Filter morphology shows clear patterning related to feeding methods and fluid flow, while filter area relationships are different across groups. In general, scaling patterns differ between functional groupings, but not always in the way one might previously have expected.