scholarly journals Body size, energy consumption and allometric scaling: a new dimension in the diversity–stability debate

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastassia M. Makarieva ◽  
Victor G. Gorshkov ◽  
Bai-Lian Li
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Allometric Scaling

scholarly journals Allometry unleashed: an adaptationist approach of brain scaling in mammalian evolution

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Willemet
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Allometric Scaling ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Brain Evolution ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Selection Pressures ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Main Factor

The idea that allometry in the context of brain evolution mainly result from constraints channelling the scaling of brain components is deeply embedded in the field of comparative neurobiology. Constraints, however, only prevent or limit changes, and cannot explain why these changes happen in the first place. In fact, considering allometry as a lack of change may be one of the reasons why, after more than a century of research, there is still no satisfactory explanatory framework for the understanding of species differences in brain size and composition in mammals. The present paper attempts to tackle this issue by adopting an adaptationist approach to examine the factors behind the evolution of brain components. In particular, the model presented here aims to explain the presence of patterns of covariation among brain components found within major taxa, and the differences between taxa. The key determinant of these patterns of covariation within a taxon-cerebrotype (groups of species whose brains present a number of similarities at the physiological and anatomical levels) seems to be the presence of taxon-specific patterns of selection pressures targeting the functional and structural properties of neural components or systems. Species within a taxon share most of the selection pressures, but their levels scale with a number of factors that are often related to body size. The size and composition of neural systems respond to these selection pressures via a number of evolutionary scenarios, which are discussed here. Adaptation, rather than, as generally assumed, developmental or functional constraints, thus appears to be the main factor behind the allometric scaling of brain components. The fact that the selection pressures acting on the size of brain components form a pattern that is specific to each taxon accounts for the peculiar relationship between body size, brain size and composition, and behavioural capabilities characterizing each taxon. While it is important to avoid repeating the errors of the “Panglossian paradigm”, the elements presented here suggests that an adaptationist approach may shed a new light on the factors underlying, and the functional consequences of, species differences in brain size and composition.

Interrelationships among Jumping Power, Sprinting Power and Pubertal Status after Controlling for Size in Young Male Soccer Players

2017 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovani S. Cunha ◽  
Sean P. Cumming ◽  
João Valente-dos-Santos ◽  
João P. Duarte ◽  
Gustavo Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Allometric Scaling ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Maximal Power Output ◽  
Pubertal Status ◽  
Small Effect Size

This study examined power output on jumping and sprinting tests in young soccer players of differing pubertal status, while controlling for body size with allometric scaling exponents. A total of 46 males aged 12–18 years (14.17 years) were divided into three groups: pre-pubescent ( n = 12), pubescent ( n = 22), and post-pubescent ( n = 12). Participants performed a series of tests, including the squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and 10-meter and 30-meter sprint test protocols. The Post-PUB group was older ( F = 112.411, p < 0.001), more experienced in competitive soccer ( F = 8.055, p = 0.001), taller ( F = 28.940, p < 0.001), and heavier ( F = 20.618, p < 0.001), when compared to peers in the other groups. Mean differences in jumping and sprinting performances suggested a significant effect for pubertal status on performance in the 10-meter sprint (large effect size, F = 8.191, p < 0.001) and 30-meter sprint (large effect size, F = 8.093, p < 0.001) after allometric scaling. Power output derived from SJ (small effect size, F = 0.536, p = 0.001) and CMJ (small effect size, F = 1.058, p = 0.356) showed no significant differences across players of varying pubertal status. Biological maturation showed a large effect on maximal power output for sprints, but not for jumps, when the effect of body size was adjusted by statistically derived allometric exponents in young male soccer players.

Allometric scaling of strength measurements to body size

2008 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 739-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Folland ◽  
T. M. Mc Cauley ◽  
A. G. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Allometric Scaling

Allometric scaling relationship between frequency of intestinal contraction and body size in rodents and rabbits

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein-Ali Arab ◽  
Samad Muhammadnejad ◽  
Saeideh Naeimi ◽  
Attieh Arab
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Allometric Scaling ◽  
Scaling Relationship

scholarly journals Effects of allometry, productivity and lifestyle on rates and limits of body size evolution

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1764) ◽  
pp. 20131007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan G. Okie ◽  
Alison G. Boyer ◽  
James H. Brown ◽  
Daniel P. Costa ◽  
S. K. Morgan Ernest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Generation Time ◽  
Allometric Scaling ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Size Evolution ◽  
Body Size Evolution ◽  
Maximum Body

Body size affects nearly all aspects of organismal biology, so it is important to understand the constraints and dynamics of body size evolution. Despite empirical work on the macroevolution and macroecology of minimum and maximum size, there is little general quantitative theory on rates and limits of body size evolution. We present a general theory that integrates individual productivity, the lifestyle component of the slow–fast life-history continuum, and the allometric scaling of generation time to predict a clade's evolutionary rate and asymptotic maximum body size, and the shape of macroevolutionary trajectories during diversifying phases of size evolution. We evaluate this theory using data on the evolution of clade maximum body sizes in mammals during the Cenozoic. As predicted, clade evolutionary rates and asymptotic maximum sizes are larger in more productive clades (e.g. baleen whales), which represent the fast end of the slow–fast lifestyle continuum, and smaller in less productive clades (e.g. primates). The allometric scaling exponent for generation time fundamentally alters the shape of evolutionary trajectories, so allometric effects should be accounted for in models of phenotypic evolution and interpretations of macroevolutionary body size patterns. This work highlights the intimate interplay between the macroecological and macroevolutionary dynamics underlying the generation and maintenance of morphological diversity.

Does conduit artery diameter vary according to the anthropometric characteristics of children or men?

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (6) ◽  
pp. H2182-H2187 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. D. Hopkins ◽  
D. J. Green ◽  
T. M. Tinken ◽  
L. Sutton ◽  
N. McWhannell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Brachial Artery ◽  
Allometric Scaling ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Brachial Artery Diameter ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Simple Ratio ◽  
Ratio Scaling

Arterial measurements are commonly undertaken to assess acute and chronic adaptations to exercise. Despite the widespread adoption of scaling practices in cardiac research, the relevance of scaling for body size and/or composition has not been addressed for arterial measures. We therefore investigated the relationships between brachial artery diameter and body composition in 129 children aged 9 to 10 yr (75 girls and 54 boys), and 50 men aged 16–49 yr. Body composition variables (total, lean, and fat mass in the whole body, arm, and forearm) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and brachial artery diameter was measured using high-resolution ultrasound. Bivariate correlations were performed, and arterial diameter was then scaled using simple ratios ( y/ x) and allometric approaches after log-log least squares linear regression and production of allometric exponents ( b) and construction of power function ratios ( y/ x b). Size independence was checked via bivariate correlations ( x: y/ x; x: y/ x b). As a result, significant correlations existed between brachial artery diameter and measures of body mass and lean mass in both cohorts ( r = 0.21–0.48, P < 0.05). There were no significant relationships between diameter and fat mass. All b exponents were significantly different from 1 (0.08–0.50), suggesting that simple ratio scaling approaches were likely to be flawed. This was confirmed when ratio scaling produced negative residual size correlations, whereas allometric scaling produced size-independent indexes ( r = 0.00 to 0.03, P > 0.05). In conclusion, when between- or within-group comparisons are performed under circumstances where it is important to control for differences in body size or composition, allometric scaling of artery diameter should be adopted rather than ratio scaling. Our data also suggest that scaling for lean or total mass may be more appropriate than scaling for indexes of fat mass.

scholarly journals Scaling VO2max to body size differences to evaluate associations to CVD incidence and all-cause mortality risk

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000854
Author(s):  
Jane Salier Eriksson ◽  
Björn Ekblom ◽  
Gunnar Andersson ◽  
Peter Wallin ◽  
Elin Ekblom-Bak
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Allometric Scaling ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Full Sample ◽  
Body Dimensions ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Scaling Models ◽  
First Time

ObjectiveTo evaluate and compare ratio and allometric scaling models of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) for different body size measurements in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and all-cause mortality.Methods316 116 individuals participating in occupational health screenings, initially free from CVD, were included. VO2max was estimated using submaximal cycle test. Height, body mass and waist circumference (WC) were assessed, and eight different scaling models (two evaluated in a restricted sample with WC data) were derived. Participants were followed in national registers for first-time CVD event or all-cause mortality from their health screening to first CVD event, death or 31 December 2015.ResultsIncreasing deciles of VO2max showed lower CVD risk and all-cause mortality for all six models in the full sample (p<0.001) as well as with increasing quintiles in the restricted sample (eight models) (p<0.001). For CVD risk and all-cause mortality, significantly weaker associations with increasing deciles for models 1 (L·min−1) and 5 (mL·min−1·height−2) were seen compared with model 2 (mL·min−1·kg−1), (CVD, p<0.00001; p<0.00001: all-cause mortality, p=0.008; p=0.001) and in some subgroups. For CVD, model 6 (mL·min−1·(kg1·height−1)−1) had a stronger association compared with model 2 (p<0.00001) and in some subgroups.In the restricted sample, trends for significantly stronger associations for models including WC compared with model 2 were seen in women for both CVD and all-cause mortality, and those under 50 for CVD.ConclusionIn association to CVD and all-cause mortality, only small differences were found between ratio scaling and allometric scaling models where body dimensions were added, with some stronger associations when adding WC in the models.

scholarly journals Energy consumption and economic growth: Does it accord with the allometric scaling law in biology?

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 566-573
Author(s):  
Jiayu Wang ◽  
Wei Han ◽  
Guotong Liu ◽  
Rongxue Ma ◽  
Shuao Yu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Allometric Scaling ◽  
Scaling Law

scholarly journals Universal patterns of matter and energy fluxes in land and ocean ecosystems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Nefiodov
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
The Body ◽  
Live Biomass ◽  
Vertical Thickness ◽  
Ocean Ecosystems ◽  
Large Animals ◽  
Life On Earth

AbstractIn work [1], the fundamental relationships for the fluxes of matter and energy in terrestrial ecosystems were obtained. Taking into account the universal characteristics of biota, these relationships permitted an estimate to be made of the vertical thickness of the live biomass layer for autotrophs and heterotrophs. The distribution of consumption of biota production as dependent on the body size of heterotrophs was also investigated. For large animals (vertebrates), the energy consumption in sustainable ecosystems was estimated to be of the order of one percent of primary production. In this comment, it is shown that the results of work [1] also hold true for ocean ecosystems and thus are universal for life as a whole. This is of paramount importance for human life on Earth.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document