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On the evolutionary emergence of predation.
Yaroslav Ispolatov1, Carlos Doebeli2, Michael Doebeli3
1Departamento de Física, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Astrophysics and Space Science, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Victor Jara 3493, Santiago, Chile.
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|July 12, 2023
Summary
Predation evolves independently from species traits, requiring evolved predation ability for it to occur. This model explains multilevel food webs where top predators aren't always the largest.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology
- Theoretical Biology
Background:
- Predation evolution models typically link predation to species' traits.
- Existing models assume predation arises directly from morphological or physiological advantages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model predation evolution where predation ability is an independent trait.
- To explore conditions for the emergence of predation.
- To analyze food web structures resulting from this model.
Main Methods:
- Developed a theoretical model of species interactions.
- Incorporated independently evolving predation ability as a phenotypic feature.
- Analyzed conditions for predation emergence and resulting food web dynamics.
Main Results:
- Predation emerges when predation ability evolves independently, even if traits are permissive.
- The model can reproduce both stationary and non-stationary multilevel food webs.
- Top predators in the model do not necessarily exhibit size superiority.
Conclusions:
- Predation ability can be an independently evolving trait, not solely dependent on species traits.
- This independent evolution shapes complex food web structures.
- Ecological dominance is not solely determined by size, but also by evolved predation ability.
Keywords:
Evolution of predation
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