Cyclic transitions in simulated food-web evolution

• Eco-evolutionary food-web models help elucidate the processes responsible for the emergence and maintenance of complex community structures. Using an individual-based model of evolving trophic and competitive interactions, we highlight a pattern of community macroevolution involving two meta-stable states, corresponding to a plant-herbivore community and a plant community, respectively. On the evolutionary timescale, our model exhibits cyclic transitions between these alternative community states. The model also helps understand the eco-evolutionary mechanisms underlying these recurrent rapid transitions, which end intermittent periods of near-stasis or punctuated equilibrium.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Matematik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Mathematics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

prey-predator

trophic traits

evolution

community ecology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)