The role of intraguild predation in the population dynamics of small pelagic fish

Abstract

In this paper, we argue that understanding marine ecosystem functioning requires a thorough appreciation of the role of intraguild predation to system dynamics. The theoretical predictions of intraguild predation models might explain some of the community features observed in marine ecosystems such as low diversity in upwelling and productive systems and species alternation in response to moderate external forcing. Finally, we argue that an ecosystem approach to fisheries requires that the size-structure of fish populations should be taken into account and that it is extremely important to account for the predators of early stages (eggs and larvae) to gain a thorough understanding of the key interactions between species.