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Related Experiment Videos

Cheating and the evolutionary stability of mutualisms.

Régis Ferriere1, Judith L Bronstein, Sergio Rinaldi

  • 1Unit of Mathematical Eco-Evolutionary Biology, Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Ecole Normale Supeérieure, 46 rue d'Ulm, 75230 Paris cedex 05, France. regis.ferriere@snv.jussieu.fr

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|April 18, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Interspecific mutualisms persist despite cheating due to asymmetrical intraspecific competition. This ecological mechanism allows stable coexistence of mutualists and cheaters, explaining their long-term evolutionary success.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Theoretical Biology

Background:

  • Interspecific mutualisms are crucial for ecosystem function but lack robust coevolutionary theory.
  • The persistence of mutualisms is puzzling due to the evolutionary advantage of 'cheating' (receiving benefits without reciprocating).
  • Empirical evidence suggests long-term stability of mutualisms involving cheaters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explain the persistence of mutualistic interactions despite the prevalence of cheating.
  • To propose and test an ecological mechanism for the long-term stability of mutualisms.
  • To understand the evolutionary dynamics leading to the coexistence of mutualists and cheaters.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling of ecological and evolutionary dynamics.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of asymmetrical competition within species.
  • Simulation of coevolutionary processes involving mutualists and cheaters.

    • Main Results:

    • Asymmetrical intraspecific competition provides a mechanism for mutualism persistence.
    • Cheating creates a selective background favoring superior mutualists.
    • This mechanism facilitates the divergence of mutualist and cheater phenotypes.
    • It also allows for the coexistence of ecologically similar, unrelated mutualists and cheaters.

    Conclusions:

    • Asymmetrical intraspecific competition is a key factor in maintaining stable interspecific mutualisms.
    • The theory resolves the puzzle of mutualism persistence against evolutionary instability.
    • This framework explains the long-term coexistence and divergence of mutualist and cheater strategies.