Description
Ecology can interact with evolution at the same time scale. This implies that ecological forecast needs to consider evolutionary dynamics as a potentially important steering component. These evolutionary processes are anticipated to be especially important during invasions of novel environments.Experimental evolution in mesocosms can provide better insight in the relative contribution of ecology and evolution underlying population dynamics. Novel environments are typically spatially heterogeneous and occupied by other species. We therefore tested how spatial heterogeneity,combined with the presence of a competing species affects the rate of ecological specialization in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae, adapting to novel host plants. We demonstrate that intraspecific competition strongly constrains the process of local adaptation. In addition, intermediate levels of dispersal are shown to be beneficial for adaptation. When competition is strong, higher connectivity facilitated local adaptation. Because eco-evolutionary dynamics are difficult to study in real landscapes,we advocate the further development of mesocosm experiments to test the interplay of changes in spatial configuration, environmental change and biotic interactions on the evolution of ecological specialization.| Periode | 14-feb.-2017 |
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| Evenementstitel | Netherlands Annual Ecology Meeting 2017 |
| Evenementstype | Conference |
| Conferentienummer | 10 |
| Organisator | Netherlands Ecological Research Network (NERN) |
| Locatie | Lunteren, NetherlandsToon op kaart |
| Mate van erkenning | International |