Reversed Optimality And Predictive Ecology: Burrowing Depth Forecasts Population Change In A Bivalve

Burrowing bivalves of the North Atlantic intertidal, Macoma balthica, predict their own future. Assessments of their depth of living at over 2000 mudflat stations visited repeatedly over 11 successive years, demonstrated that in years after Macoma burrowed deeply in late summer, their population had grown.


A year after summers when Macoma remained close to the surface, exposing themselves to shorebird predation though achieving better grazing opportunities, their population declined.


This behaviour is predicted by theory and represents a first ecological demonstration of the 'Stalingrad effect', the increase in risk-taking by starving German soldiers during the siege of this city.


Royal Society Journal Biology Letters


Biology Letters publishes short, innovative and cutting-edge research articles and opinion pieces accessible to scientists from across the biological sciences. The journal is characterised by stringent peer-review, rapid publication and broad dissemination of succinct high-quality research communications.


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