Fronhofer Emanuel A, Altermatt Florian
Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department of Aquatic Ecology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
1] Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department of Aquatic Ecology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland [2] Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
Nat Commun. 2015 Apr 22;6:6844. doi: 10.1038/ncomms7844.
Understanding biological range expansions and invasions is of great ecological and economical interest. Importantly, spatial dynamics can be deeply affected by rapid evolution depending on the ecological context. Using experimental evolution in replicated microcosm landscapes and numerical analyses we show experimentally that the ecological process of range expansions leads to the evolution of increased dispersal. This evolutionary change counter-intuitively feeds back on (macro-)ecological patterns affecting the spatial distribution of population densities. While existing theory suggests that densities decrease from range cores to range margins due to K-selection, we show the reverse to be true when competition is considered explicitly including resource dynamics. We suggest that a dispersal-foraging trade-off, leading to more 'prudent' foraging at range margins, is the driving mechanism behind the macroecological pattern reported. In conclusion, rapid multi-trait evolution and eco-evolutionary feedbacks are highly relevant for understanding macroecological patterns and designing appropriate conservation strategies.
了解生物范围扩张和入侵具有重大的生态和经济意义。重要的是，根据生态背景，空间动态可能会受到快速进化的深刻影响。通过在重复的微观景观中进行实验进化和数值分析，我们通过实验表明，范围扩张的生态过程导致扩散增加的进化。这种进化变化出人意料地反馈到影响种群密度空间分布的（宏观）生态模式上。虽然现有理论表明，由于K选择，密度从范围核心到范围边缘会降低，但当明确考虑包括资源动态在内的竞争时，我们发现情况恰恰相反。我们认为，导致在范围边缘进行更“谨慎”觅食的扩散-觅食权衡是所报告的宏观生态模式背后的驱动机制。总之，快速的多性状进化和生态-进化反馈对于理解宏观生态模式和设计适当的保护策略高度相关。
