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Niche construction initiates the evolution of mutualistic interactions
Author(s) -
Buser Claudia C.,
Newcomb Richard D.,
Gaskett Anne C.,
Goddard Matthew R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.12331
Subject(s) - niche , biology , niche construction , ecological niche , mutualism (biology) , yeast , ecology , niche differentiation , drosophila (subgenus) , saccharomyces cerevisiae , evolutionary ecology , evolutionary biology , host (biology) , genetics , habitat , gene
Niche construction theory explains how organisms' niche modifications may feed back to affect their evolutionary trajectories. In theory, the evolution of other species accessing the same modified niche may also be affected. We propose that this niche construction may be a general mechanism driving the evolution of mutualisms. Drosophilid flies benefit from accessing yeast‐infested fruits, but the consequences of this interaction for yeasts are unknown. We reveal high levels of variation among strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in their ability to modify fruits and attract Drosophila simulans . More attractive yeasts are dispersed more frequently, both in the lab and in the field, and flies associated with more attractive yeasts have higher fecundity. Although there may be multiple natural yeast and fly species interactions, our controlled assays in the lab and field provide evidence of a mutualistic interaction, facilitated by the yeast's niche modification.