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Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity
Published on: March 13, 2014
Effects of environmental heterogeneity on victim-exploiter coevolution
Sergey Gavrilets1, Yannis Michalakis
1Department of Ecology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA. sergey@tiem.utk.edu
Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|September 13, 2008
Summary
Genetic variation in victim-exploiter systems is maintained through complex dynamics. Spatially heterogeneous selection and moderate migration rates promote genetic diversity and population subdivision, impacting local adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Population Genetics
- Theoretical Ecology
Background:
- Victim-exploiter interactions are a key driver of coevolutionary dynamics.
- Understanding the maintenance of genetic variation is crucial for evolutionary processes.
- Spatial heterogeneity can significantly influence evolutionary trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conditions for maintaining genetic variation in a spatially heterogeneous island model of victim-exploiter coevolution.
- To analyze dynamic patterns, local adaptation, and genetic differentiation.
- To assess the impact of selection strength, heterogeneity, migration rates, and the number of sites on system dynamics.
Main Methods:
- A spatially heterogeneous island model incorporating victim-exploiter coevolution.
- Focus on a single haploid diallelic locus controlling fitness consequences of interspecific interactions.
- Analysis of allele frequency dynamics, genetic variation maintenance, local adaptation, and genetic differentiation (FST).
Main Results:
- Spatially homogeneous selection maintains genetic variation via asynchronous nonlinear dynamics.
- Spatially heterogeneous selection promotes genetic variation, even with maximal migration, through oscillatory patterns.
- High genetic variation is favored by strong selection heterogeneity; stable equilibria emerge with restricted migration at intermediate rates, leading to high spatial subdivision (FST) but low local adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Genetic variation can be robustly maintained in victim-exploiter systems under various spatial selection scenarios.
- Spatially heterogeneous selection is a potent force for preserving genetic diversity.
- Trade-offs between spatial subdivision and local adaptation exist, particularly at intermediate migration rates.
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