Preytopredator

Preytopredator is a term used in ecology to describe organisms that can function as both prey and predator within the same ecosystem, depending on context. It is a descriptive concept rather than a taxonomic group.

Roles shift due to ontogenetic diet shifts (changes in diet during development), size differences, seasonal prey availability, or risk of predation.

In trophic networks, preytopredators contribute to energy transfer across multiple trophic levels and can influence stability and cascade effects.

Examples include small fish that feed on plankton or invertebrates while being prey for larger fish; birds that ingest insects or small vertebrates but are prey for raptors. Some amphibians and reptiles exhibit ontogenetic diet shifts, with juvenile stages feeding on detritus or plants and adults becoming insectivores.

In research and management, recognizing preytopredator roles helps model trophic interactions, predict responses to removals or introductions, and inform conservation strategies.