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A general model for the evolution of mutualisms.

K R Foster¹, T Wenseleers

¹Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, Institute for Advanced Study, Berlin, Germany. krfoster@rice.edu

Journal of Evolutionary Biology

|June 20, 2006

Summary

Cooperation in mutualisms evolves when there

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Ecology
Behavioral Ecology

Background:

Mutualisms, or cooperative relationships between species, face evolutionary challenges from cheating.
Understanding the drivers of cooperation is crucial for explaining biodiversity and ecosystem function.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a general model predicting key factors in the evolution of mutualisms.
To assess the relative importance of different feedback mechanisms in promoting cooperation.

Main Methods:

Developed a general theoretical model of mutualism evolution.
Analyzed the roles of benefit-to-cost ratio, within-species relatedness, and between-species fidelity.
Investigated feedback mechanisms: cooperator association, partner-fidelity feedback, and partner choice.

Main Results:

High benefit-to-cost ratio, within-species relatedness, and between-species fidelity are key factors.
Phenotypic feedbacks (partner-fidelity and partner choice) are more critical than genetic correlations (cooperator association) for between-species cooperation.

Conclusions:

The model clarifies the conditions favoring cooperation in mutualisms.
Phenotypic feedbacks are emphasized as stronger drivers of interspecific cooperation than genetic relatedness alone.

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