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An individual‐based model for the eco‐evolutionary emergence of bipartite interaction networks
Author(s) -
Maliet Odile,
Loeuille Nicolas,
Morlon Hélène
Publication year - 2020
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.13592
Subject(s) - trait , bipartite graph , macroevolution , phylogenetic tree , biology , evolutionary biology , diversity (politics) , ecology , modular design , ecological network , computer science , theoretical computer science , sociology , graph , genetics , ecosystem , anthropology , gene , programming language , operating system
How ecological interaction networks emerge on evolutionary time scales remains unclear. Here we build an individual‐based eco‐evolutionary model for the emergence of mutualistic, antagonistic and neutral bipartite interaction networks. Exploring networks evolved under these scenarios, we find three main results. First, antagonistic interactions tend to foster species and trait diversity, while mutualistic interactions reduce diversity. Second, antagonistic interactors evolve higher specialisation, which results in networks that are often more modular than neutral ones; resource species in these networks often display phylogenetic conservatism in interaction partners. Third, mutualistic interactions lead to networks that are more nested than neutral ones, with low phylogenetic conservatism in interaction partners. These results tend to match overall empirical trends, demonstrating that structures of empirical networks that have most often been explained by ecological processes can result from an evolutionary emergence. Our model contributes to the ongoing effort of better integrating ecological interactions and macroevolution.