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Allometric cascades

Author

Listed:
  • Jayanth R. Banavar

    (104 Davey Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park)

  • John Damuth

    (Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California)

  • Amos Maritan

    (International School for Advanced Studies
    INFM & Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics)

  • Andrea Rinaldo

    (Marittima e Geotecnica,Universita' di Padova)

Abstract

An allometric power-law relationship between metabolic rate and the mass of living organisms has been observed over many orders of magnitude in mass, indicating that (among other things) a characteristic mass scale is not applicable. Darveau et al.1 present a multiple-cause cascade model of metabolic allometry, which has been hailed as a new perspective on comparative integrative physiology2 and scaling relationships3. Here we show that this cascade model is flawed and is therefore meaningless both for control of metabolic rate in an organism of a given size and for scaling of the metabolic rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Jayanth R. Banavar & John Damuth & Amos Maritan & Andrea Rinaldo, 2003. "Allometric cascades," Nature, Nature, vol. 421(6924), pages 713-714, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:421:y:2003:i:6924:d:10.1038_421713b
    DOI: 10.1038/421713b
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