Why is it in the news?

• In ecology, ‘gape limitation’ refers to the concept that a predator can only consume prey that fits within its mouth.

More about the news

• Researchers focus on gape limitation because it determines which animals can prey upon others. This concept helps understand predator-prey interactions in ecosystems.
• Gape limitations dictate that small predators can only consume small prey, while larger predators can consume larger prey. This dynamic shape the structure and functioning of ecosystems.
• Gape limitations drive evolutionary adaptations in both predator and prey species. Prey animals may evolve to become faster or larger to avoid being consumed by predators with smaller mouths. Conversely, predators may evolve larger mouths to consume larger prey.