The role of genetic constraints on the coevolutionary process

• Grant number: 19/21732-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2020
• End date: October 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Theoretical Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Roberto Guimarães Junior
• Grantee: Kate Pereira Maia
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/14809-0 - Evolutionary dynamics in ecological networks, AP.JP2
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/11727-5 - How introduced species affect coevolution in seed dispersal mutualisms?, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

In recent years, mathematical models identified some of the mechanisms that drive the coevolutionary dynamics in networks of interacting species. Most of these models assume that interactions are determined by one single trait for each species. However, we know that generally multiple traits mediate the occurrence of interactions between species and therefore influence their coevolutionary dynamics. Moreover, inside populations, traits are rarely independent as a result of the shared genetic effects between them (pleiotropy). These genetic correlations influence species response to natural selection and, consequently, the coevolutionary dynamics between species. In that sense, the goal of this project is to understand how the phenotypic constraints generated by genetic correlations influence coevolution in networks of interacting species. To achieve that, a coevolutionary model based on network theory and on quantitative genetics will be developed. This project also seeks to elucidate the role of selective pressure resulting from interaction partners in the emergence of genetic correlations. The last project goal is to empirically assess the strength of phenotypic constraints between traits which are relevant for the establishment of mutualistic interactions in Neotropical seed-dispersal networks. (AU)

Scientific publications

(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)

WINDSOR, FREDRIC M.; ARMENTERAS, DOLORS; ASSIS, ANA PAULA A.; ASTEGIANO, JULIA; SANTANA, PAMELA C.; CAGNOLO, LUCIANO; CARVALHEIRO, LUISA G.; EMARY, CLIVE; FORT, HUGO; GONZALEZ, XAVIER, I; et al. Essays Perspectives Network science: Applications for sustainable agroecosystems and food security. PERSPECTIVES IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION, v. 20, n. 2, p. 12-pg., 2022-04-01. (19/21732-6, 18/14809-0)

MAIA, KATE PEREIRA; GUIMARAES JR, PAULO ROBERTO. The Hierarchical Coevolutionary Units of Ecological Networks. ECOLOGY LETTERS, v. 27, n. 9, p. 11-pg., 2024-09-01. (18/14809-0, 19/21732-6)