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Evolutionary indirect effects of biological invasions
1Kellogg Biological Station and Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, 3700 E Gull Lake Dr., Hickory Corners, MI 49060, USA. jenlau@msu.edu
Oecologia
|March 10, 2012
Summary
Evolutionary changes in native Lotus plants, driven by exotic herbivores, altered interactions with other insects. This demonstrates eco-evolutionary feedbacks influencing community dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Community Ecology
Background:
- Indirect ecological effects impact community structure and ecosystem function.
- Evolutionary indirect effects are theorized to influence community dynamics but lack empirical support.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how exotic plant (Medicago polymorpha) and insect (Hypera brunneipennis) influence the evolution of native Lotus wrangelianus anti-herbivore traits.
- Determine if Lotus evolutionary responses to Hypera alter interactions with other herbivores.
Main Methods:
- Multi-generation field selection experiment on Lotus wrangelianus.
- Experimental manipulation of Hypera brunneipennis abundance using insecticides and Medicago polymorpha removal.
Main Results:
- Rapid evolution of Lotus resistance to Hypera observed in one population.
- Evolutionary changes in Lotus resistance led to reduced aphid attack.
- Demonstrated an eco-evolutionary feedback where one herbivore alters interactions with other herbivore taxa.
Conclusions:
- Evolutionary responses to one herbivore can cascade through interaction webs.
- Eco-evolutionary feedbacks are crucial for understanding community dynamics.
- Traits mediating multiple species interactions are key to these cascading effects.
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01:21Frequency-dependent Selection
When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.
02:39Gene Flow
Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
01:32What is Natural Selection?
Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.
01:09Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift
In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
02:55The Evidence for Evolution
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