In recent decades, much conceptual thinking in trophic ecology has been guided by theories of nutrient limitation and the flow of elements, such as carbon and nitrogen, within and among ecosystems. More recently, ecologists have also turned their attention to examining the value of specific dietary nutrients, in particular polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), among which the omega-3 PUFA, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play a central role as essential components of neuronal cell membranes in many organisms. This review focuses on a new neuro-ecological approach stemming from the biochemical (mechanistic) and physiological (functional) role of DHA in neuronal cell membranes, in particular in conjunction with G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). We link the co-evolution of these neurological functions to metabolic dependency on dietary omega-3 PUFA. We outline ways in which deficiencies in dietary DHA supply may affect, cognition, vision, and behaviour, and ultimately, the biological fitness of consumers. We then review emerging evidence that changes in access to dietary omega-3 PUFA may ultimately have profound impacts on trophic interactions leading to potential changes in community structure and ecosystem functioning that, in turn, may affect the supply of DHA within and across ecosystems, including the supply for human consumption.

中文翻译：

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Omega-3 PUFA 深刻影响神经、生理和行为能力——对营养相互作用的系统性变化的影响

近几十年来，营养生态学的许多概念性思考都受到营养限制理论和生态系统内和生态系统之间元素（如碳和氮）流动理论的指导。最近，生态学家也将注意力转向研究特定膳食营养素的价值，特别是多不饱和脂肪酸 (PUFA)，其中 omega-3 PUFA，尤其是二十碳五烯酸 (EPA) 和二十二碳六烯酸 (DHA) 起着核心作用。在许多生物体中作为神经元细胞膜的重要组成部分。这篇综述着重于一种新的神经生态学方法，该方法源于 DHA 在神经元细胞膜中的生化（机械）和生理（功能）作用，特别是与 G 蛋白偶联受体 (GPCRs) 的结合。我们将这些神经功能的共同进化与对膳食 omega-3 PUFA 的代谢依赖性联系起来。我们概述了膳食 DHA 供应不足可能影响认知、视力和行为的方式，并最终影响消费者的生理健康。然后，我们回顾了新出现的证据，表明膳食 omega-3 PUFA 获取途径的变化最终可能对营养相互作用产生深远影响，从而导致群落结构和生态系统功能发生潜在变化，进而可能影响生态系统内和生态系统之间的 DHA 供应，包括供人类消费的供应。