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Related Experiment Videos

Transition rates between specialization and generalization in phytophagous insects.

P Nosil1

  • 1Department of Biosciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. pnosila@sfu.ca

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|October 2, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Evolutionary specialization in insects happens faster than generalization. This study analyzed 15 insect groups, finding a higher rate of transitioning to specialization, suggesting dynamic evolutionary paths rather than dead ends.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Entomology

Background:

  • Most animal species display specialized resource use patterns.
  • The evolutionary rates of specialization versus generalization are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if specialization evolves faster than generalization.
  • To estimate transition rates between specialization and generalization in phytophagous insects.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on 15 groups of phytophagous insects.
  • Maximum-likelihood analyses were used to estimate transition rates.

Main Results:

  • The rate of transitioning from generalization to specialization was significantly higher than the reverse.

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  • Transition rate ratios were 1.47 (uniform branch lengths) and 1.76 (Grafen branch lengths).
  • Phylogenetic conservatism of host-plant use is common, but specialization evolution is dynamic.

    • Conclusions:

    • Evolutionary specialization is a dynamic process, not always an evolutionary dead-end.
    • There is a tendency for directional evolution toward increased specialization in insects.