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Related Experiment Videos

The evolution of interspecific mutualisms

M Doebeli1, N Knowlton

  • 1Zoology Institute, University of Basel, Rheinsprung 9, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland. doebeli@ubaclu.unibas.ch

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 22, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Mutualism evolves easily when partner investments yield increasing returns and spatial structure exists. This challenges the idea that noncooperative mutants are the main barrier to cooperation in nature.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Theoretical Biology

Background:

  • Interspecific mutualisms are common, yet their evolutionary pathways remain unclear.
  • The Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma model, a common tool for studying cooperation, has limitations as it overlooks ecological factors and evolving exchange amounts.
  • Existing models fail to explain mutualism when exchange values fluctuate, as they predict exchanges diminish to zero.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a more realistic theoretical model for the evolution of interspecific mutualism.
  • To investigate the conditions under which mutualistic strategies can evolve and persist.
  • To identify key factors that facilitate or hinder the evolution of cooperation between species.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a novel theoretical model that incorporates ecological differences between partners and allows for the evolution of exchange amounts.

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  • Analyzed the dynamics of cooperation under conditions of variable investments and returns.
  • Introduced spatial structure into competitive interactions to assess its impact on mutualism.

    • Main Results:

    • Strategies successful in fixed-exchange models (e.g., Tit-for-Tat) do not explain mutualism when exchanges vary.
    • Mutualism evolves readily when increased investment in a partner leads to increased returns, coupled with spatial structure in interactions.
    • The model demonstrates that the initial challenge of overcoming a partner's defenses may be more significant than the spread of noncooperative strategies.

    Conclusions:

    • Realistic models incorporating evolving exchange values and ecological feedback are crucial for understanding mutualism.
    • Spatial structure and positive feedback loops (increased investment yielding increased returns) are key drivers for the evolution of mutualism.
    • The primary hurdle for mutualism may be the establishment of the interaction against initial resistance, rather than the subsequent maintenance of cooperation against cheaters.