How do species and interaction turnovers affect the coevolutionary dynamics in mutualistic networks?

• Grant number: 17/08406-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Theoretical Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Roberto Guimarães Junior
• Grantee: Paulo Roberto Guimarães Junior
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Mutualisms are ecological interactions that affect and are affected by ecological and evolutionary processes operating at the interacting species. In ecological communities, many types of mutualisms involve dozens of species, forming networks of ecological interactions. In the last two decades, a set of empirical studies revealed fundamental features of the network structure of mutualistic interactions. Recently, theoretical studies have been developing a mathematical theory that describes how evolution and coevolution can occur in mutualistic networks. These mathematical models assume a fixed composition of species and interactions in a given mutualistic network. However, a set of empirical studies revealed that species turnover and interaction turnover are ubiquitous features of mutualistic networks. Species turnover and interaction turnover may prevent the evolution of co-adaptations characterized by phenotypic matching between interacting mutualistic species. Similarly, phenotypic matching in mutualistic species may constrain the species turnover and interaction turnover in mutualistic networks. In this project, we will explore the apparent paradox of the coexistence of species turnover, interaction turnover and phenotypic matching with the aid of coevolutionary mathematical models. Specifically, we will study in which conditions the coevolutionary dynamics limit or is limited by the species and interaction turnover. Because the structural complexity associated with ecological interactions may affect both ecological and evolutionary dynamics, we will explore how the structure of mutualistic networks affects the relationship between coevolutionary dynamics and the turnover of species and interactions. In a broader context, we hope to contribute to a better understanding to one central problem in evolutionary ecology: how ecological interactions can affect the evolution of interacting species and, at the same time, be resilient to the relentless turnover of mutualistic partners across time. (AU)

Scientific publications

(12)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BASTAZINI, VINICIUS A. G.; DEBASTIANI, VANDERLEI J.; AZAMBUJA, BETHANIA O.; GUIMARAES JR, PAULO R.; PILLAR, VALERIO D.. Loss of Generalist Plant Species and Functional Diversity Decreases the Robustness of a Seed Dispersal Network. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, v. 46, n. 1, SI, p. 52-58, MAR 2019. (17/08406-7)

MEDEIROS, LUCAS P.; GARCIA, GUILHERME; THOMPSON, JOHN N.; GUIMARAES, JR., PAULO R.. The geographic mosaic of coevolution in mutualistic networks. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. 115, n. 47, p. 12017-12022, NOV 20 2018. (16/20739-9, 15/12956-7, 17/08406-7)

GUIMARAES, JR., PAULO R.; PIRES, MATHIAS M.; CANTOR, MAURICIO; COLTRI, PATRICIA P.. Interaction paths promote module integration and network-level robustness of spliceosome to cascading effects. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 8, NOV 28 2018. (17/08406-7, 17/06994-9)

DO NASCIMENTO, LUCAS FERREIRA; GUIMARAES, PAULO R.; ONSTEIN, RENSKE E.; KISSLING, W. DANIEL; PIRESS, MATHIAS M.. Associated evolution of fruit size, fruit colour and spines in Neotropical palms. JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, v. 33, n. 6, APR 2020. (17/08406-7)

MAIA, KATE P.; RASMUSSEN, CLAUS; OLESEN, JENS M.; GUIMARAES, JR., PAULO R.. Does the sociality of pollinators shape the organisation of pollination networks?. OIKOS, v. 128, n. 5, p. 741-752, MAY 2019. (17/08406-7, 11/15754-5)

MASCARENHAS, RILQUER; RUZISKA, FLAVIA M.; MOREIRA, EDUARDO FREITAS; CAMPOS, AMANDA B.; LOIOLA, MIGUEL; REIS, KAIKE; TRINDADE-SILVA, AMARO E.; BARBOSA, FELIPE A. S.; SALLES, LUCAS; MENEZES, RAFAEL; et al. Integrating Computational Methods to Investigate the Macroecology of Microbiomes. FRONTIERS IN GENETICS, v. 10, JAN 17 2020. (17/08406-7, 16/14277-2)

FRIBERG, MAGNE; SCHWIND, CHRISTOPHER; GUIMARAES, JR., PAULO R.; RAGUSO, ROBERT A.; THOMPSON, JOHN N.. Extreme diversification of floral volatiles within and among species of Lithophragma (Saxifragaceae). PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. 116, n. 10, p. 4406-4415, MAR 5 2019. (17/08406-7)

RAIMUNDO, RAFAEL L. G.; GUIMARAES, JR., PAULO R.; EVANS, DARREN M.. Adaptive Networks for Restoration Ecology. TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION, v. 33, n. 9, p. 664-675, SEP 2018. (14/21106-4, 17/08406-7)

EMER, CARINE; GALETTI, MAURO; PIZO, MARCO A.; GUIMARAES, JR., PAULO R.; MORAES, SUELEN; PIRATELLI, AUGUSTO; JORDANO, PEDRO. Seed-dispersal interactions in fragmented landscapes - a metanetwork approach. ECOLOGY LETTERS, v. 21, n. 4, p. 484-493, APR 2018. (17/08406-7, 10/52315-7, 14/01986-0, 16/18355-8, 15/15172-7)

DE ANDREAZZI, CECILIA SILIANSKY; GUIMARAES, JR., PAULO R.; MELIAN, CARLOS J.. Eco-evolutionary feedbacks promote fluctuating selection and long-term stability of antagonistic networks. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, v. 285, n. 1874, MAR 14 2018. (17/08406-7)

BOMFIM, JAMILLE DE ASSIS; GUIMARAES, JR., PAULO R.; PERES, CARLOS A.; CARVALHO, GUSTAVO; CAZETTA, ELIANA. Local extinctions of obligate frugivores and patch size reduction disrupt the structure of seed dispersal networks. ECOGRAPHY, v. 41, n. 11, p. 1899-1909, NOV 2018. (15/14292-9, 09/54422-8, 17/08406-7)

BASTAZINI, VINICIUS A. G.; DEBASTIANI, VANDERLEI J.; AZAMBUJA, BETHANIA O.; GUIMARAES JR, PAULO R.; PILLAR, VALERIO D.. Loss of Generalist Plant Species and Functional Diversity Decreases the Robustness of a Seed Dispersal Network. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, v. 46, n. 1, p. 7-pg., 2019-03-01. (17/08406-7)