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Evolutionary ecology: old ideas percolate into ecology.
1Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA2 8NF, UK. ken.wilson@lancaster.ac.uk
Current Biology : CB
|January 14, 2009
Summary
Phase polyphenism in locusts may have evolved as a behavioral strategy to decrease prey patch connectivity, thereby lowering predation risk. This novel model uses percolation theory to explain the evolution of locust polyphenism.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Phase polyphenism describes the ability of locusts to exhibit distinct physical and behavioral changes in response to population density.
- Understanding the evolutionary drivers of polyphenism is crucial for predicting species' responses to environmental changes.
Discussion:
- A novel model, grounded in percolation theory, proposes that phase polyphenism initially evolved as a behavioral adaptation in locusts.
- This strategy aimed to reduce the interconnectedness of vulnerable prey patches, consequently minimizing predation pressure.
Key Insights:
- The study suggests that behavioral plasticity, specifically altering movement and aggregation patterns, was a primary factor in the early evolution of locust polyphenism.
- Percolation theory provides a mathematical framework to understand how changes in connectivity influence survival rates.
Outlook:
- Further research could explore the genetic basis of this behavioral strategy and its role in locust speciation.
- Investigating similar mechanisms in other social insects could reveal broader evolutionary principles governing polyphenism.
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