Learning takes time: Biotic resistance by native herbivores increases through the invasion process

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Invasive Species Biology
• Marine Ecology

Background:

• Biotic interactions are crucial for native communities to resist invasive species.
• Native herbivores may initially avoid novel invasive species, facilitating their proliferation.
• Consumer-resource dynamics can evolve rapidly, leading to novel interactions.

Discussion:

• This study investigates the development of biotic resistance to an invasive alga in the Mediterranean.
• Space-for-time approaches reveal how native herbivores adapt their feeding behavior.
• The research highlights the dynamic nature of consumer-resource relationships in invaded ecosystems.

Key Insights:

• The primary native Mediterranean herbivore learned to consume the invasive alga within a decade.
• Herbivore consumption shifted from avoidance at recently invaded sites to high preference at older sites.
• This adaptive feeding behavior by native herbivores contributed to the invasive alga's population collapse.

Outlook:

• Conserving native herbivore populations is essential for fostering natural resistance to invasive species.
• Understanding adaptive consumer-resource interactions can inform invasive species management strategies.
• Further research should explore the long-term ecological consequences of these evolving interactions.