A comprehensive evaluation of Daphnia pulex foraging energetics and the influence of spatially heterogeneous food

In a new paper in Inland Waters, recent PhD graduate Audrey Reid (Sprules Lab), examined how energy expended in finding and consuming algae varies with energy gained in spatially dynamic habitats. Audrey measured of the costs and benefits to Daphnia grazing across a range of algal concentrations. Her paper shows that costs did not rise with algal abundance but benefits did thus explaining why Daphnia seek algal patches in nature.

Congrats to Audrey!