The size dependency of foraging behaviour: an empirical test performed on aquatic amphipods

The behavioural choices made by foragers regarding the use of resource patches have a direct influence on the energy balance of the individual. Given that several individual traits linked to the acquisition of spatially distributed resources increase with body size (e.g., energy requirements, resource ingestion rates, and movement capacity), it is reasonable to expect size dependencies in overall foraging behaviour. In this study, we tested how body size influences the number, duration, and frequency of foraging episodes in heterogeneous resource patches. To this end, we performed microcosm experiments using the aquatic amphipod Gammarus insensibilis as a model organism. An experimental maze was used to simulate a habitat characterised by resource-rich, resource-poor, and empty patches under controlled conditions. The patch use behaviour of 40 differently sized specimens foraging alone in the experimental maze was monitored via an advanced camera setup. Overall, we observed that individual body size exerted a major influence on the use of resource patches over time. Larger individuals had stronger preference for the resource-rich patches initially and visited them more frequently than smaller individuals, but for shorter periods of time. However, larger individuals subsequently decreased their use of resource-rich patches in favour of resource-poor patches, while smaller individuals continued to prefer resource-rich patches for the whole experimental time. With body size being a key organismal trait, our observations support the general understanding of foraging behaviours related to preference, patch use, and abandonment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00442-022-05195-8.