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Interactions among interactions: The dynamical consequences of antagonism between mutualists
Kelsey M Yule1, Christopher A Johnson2, Judith L Bronstein1
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210088, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|June 4, 2020
Summary
Interactions between species sharing a mutualist can destabilize the relationship. System persistence depends on specialized mutualism and limited antagonism, even with complex dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Population Dynamics
- Theoretical Biology
Background:
- Species interactions often involve multiple mutualistic partners.
- These partners can have direct interactions, affecting the mutualistic system.
- Antagonism can occur between species sharing a mutualist, complicating dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model a three-species system with antagonism and a shared mutualist with two life stages.
- To investigate conditions for mutualist persistence under varying antagonism rates.
- To explore the role of interaction specialization in mutualistic system stability.
Main Methods:
- Developed a population dynamical model.
- Simulated a three-species interaction network.
- Analyzed conditions for species persistence and population dynamics.
Main Results:
- Mutualist persistence requires restrictive conditions, influenced by antagonism type (predatory or non-consumptive).
- Increased antagonism leads to indirect interactions dominating, potentially causing complex oscillatory dynamics.
- Mutualistic system persistence is highly dependent on the specialization of mutualistic interactions.
Conclusions:
- A novel mechanism for mutualist extinction due to ecological changes is identified.
- The balance between mutualism and antagonism critically influences species densities.
- Provides testable predictions for the interplay of mutualism and antagonism in ecological systems.
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