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A limits-oriented approach to evolutionary ecology
1Center for Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, T.H. Morgan School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 18, 2011
Summary
Evolutionary ecology often uses optimal traits, but focusing on
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary ecology
- Ecological patterns
- Species distributions and abundances
Background:
- Optimal trait theory is a common approach in evolutionary ecology.
- This approach may not fully explain ecological limits.
- Ecological questions often involve constraints on species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a shift from optimal traits to limiting traits.
- To understand ecological limits by studying traits organisms perform poorly.
- To examine constraints on the evolution of these limiting traits.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing ecological and evolutionary studies.
- Conceptual framework development.
- Identification of traits that limit ecological success.
Main Results:
- Optimal traits may not adequately explain ecological limits.
- Focusing on limiting traits offers a mechanistic understanding of ecological patterns.
- Constraints on the evolution of poorly performing traits are crucial.
Conclusions:
- A limiting-traits approach is valuable for understanding ecological limits.
- This perspective complements traditional optimal traits studies.
- Further research applying the limiting-traits approach is warranted.
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