Change in prey genotype frequency rescues predator from extinction
Indirect evolutionary rescue (IER) is a mechanism where a non-evolving species is saved from extinction in an otherwise lethal environment by evolution in an interacting species. This process has been described in a predator–prey model, where extinction of the predator is prevented by a shift in the...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Royal Society
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Royal Society Open Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220211 |
| _version_ | 1797837645063127040 |
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| author | Ruben Joseph Hermann Lutz Becks |
| author_facet | Ruben Joseph Hermann Lutz Becks |
| author_sort | Ruben Joseph Hermann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Indirect evolutionary rescue (IER) is a mechanism where a non-evolving species is saved from extinction in an otherwise lethal environment by evolution in an interacting species. This process has been described in a predator–prey model, where extinction of the predator is prevented by a shift in the frequency of defended towards undefended prey when reduced predator densities lower selection for defended prey. We test here how increased mortality and the initial frequencies of the prey types affect IER. Combining the analysis of model simulations and experiments with rotifers feeding on algae we show IER in the presence of increased predator mortality. We found that IER was dependent on the ability of the prey to evolve as well as on the frequency of the defended prey. High initial frequencies of defended prey resulted in predator extinction despite the possibility for prey evolution, as the increase in undefended prey was delayed too much to allow predator rescue. This frequency dependency for IER was more pronounced for higher predator mortalities. Our findings can help informing the development of conservation and management strategies that consider evolutionary responses in communities to environmental changes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:28:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-83c9fbf93b26429a8be0eefb6d98473b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2054-5703 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:28:03Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | The Royal Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Royal Society Open Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-83c9fbf93b26429a8be0eefb6d98473b2023-04-28T10:52:23ZengThe Royal SocietyRoyal Society Open Science2054-57032022-06-019610.1098/rsos.220211Change in prey genotype frequency rescues predator from extinctionRuben Joseph Hermann0Lutz Becks1Aquatic Ecology and Evolution Group, Limnological Institute University Konstanz, Konstanz, GermanyAquatic Ecology and Evolution Group, Limnological Institute University Konstanz, Konstanz, GermanyIndirect evolutionary rescue (IER) is a mechanism where a non-evolving species is saved from extinction in an otherwise lethal environment by evolution in an interacting species. This process has been described in a predator–prey model, where extinction of the predator is prevented by a shift in the frequency of defended towards undefended prey when reduced predator densities lower selection for defended prey. We test here how increased mortality and the initial frequencies of the prey types affect IER. Combining the analysis of model simulations and experiments with rotifers feeding on algae we show IER in the presence of increased predator mortality. We found that IER was dependent on the ability of the prey to evolve as well as on the frequency of the defended prey. High initial frequencies of defended prey resulted in predator extinction despite the possibility for prey evolution, as the increase in undefended prey was delayed too much to allow predator rescue. This frequency dependency for IER was more pronounced for higher predator mortalities. Our findings can help informing the development of conservation and management strategies that consider evolutionary responses in communities to environmental changes.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220211predator–preyindirect evolutionary rescuerotiferChlamydomonasfrequency dependencyeco-evolutionary dynamics |
| spellingShingle | Ruben Joseph Hermann Lutz Becks Change in prey genotype frequency rescues predator from extinction Royal Society Open Science predator–prey indirect evolutionary rescue rotifer Chlamydomonas frequency dependency eco-evolutionary dynamics |
| title | Change in prey genotype frequency rescues predator from extinction |
| title_full | Change in prey genotype frequency rescues predator from extinction |
| title_fullStr | Change in prey genotype frequency rescues predator from extinction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Change in prey genotype frequency rescues predator from extinction |
| title_short | Change in prey genotype frequency rescues predator from extinction |
| title_sort | change in prey genotype frequency rescues predator from extinction |
| topic | predator–prey indirect evolutionary rescue rotifer Chlamydomonas frequency dependency eco-evolutionary dynamics |
| url | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220211 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rubenjosephhermann changeinpreygenotypefrequencyrescuespredatorfromextinction AT lutzbecks changeinpreygenotypefrequencyrescuespredatorfromextinction |