Evolutionary branching in complex landscapes

Haller, B.C., Mazzucco, R., & Dieckmann, U. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7089-0393 (2013). Evolutionary branching in complex landscapes. The American Naturalist 182 (4) E127-E141. 10.1086/671907.

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Abstract

Divergent adaptation to different environments can promote speciation, and it is thus important to consider spatial structure in models of speciation. Earlier theoretical work, however, has been limited to particularly simple types of spatial structure (linear environmental gradients and spatially discrete metapopulations), leaving unaddressed the effects of more realistic patterns of landscape heterogeneity, such as nonlinear gradients and spatially continuous patchiness. To elucidate the consequences of such complex landscapes, we adapt an established spatially explicit individual-based model of evolutionary branching. We show that branching is most probable at intermediate levels of various types of heterogeneity and that different types of heterogeneity have, to some extent, additive effects in promoting branching. In contrast to such additivity, we find a novel refugium effect in which refugia in hostile environments provide opportunities for colonization, thus increasing the probability of branching in patchy landscapes. Effects of patchiness depend on the scale of patches relative to dispersal. Providing a needed connection to empirical research on biodiversity and conservation policy, we introduce empirically accessible spatial environmental metrics that quantitatively predict a landscape's branching propensity.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Spatial environmental heterogeneity; Local adaptation; Individual-based model; Negative frequency-dependent selection; Ecological speciation; Evolutionary refugia
Research Programs: Evolution and Ecology (EEP)
Bibliographic Reference: The American Naturalist; 182(4):E127-E141 (October 2013) (Published online 16 August 2013)
Depositing User: IIASA Import
Date Deposited: 15 Jan 2016 08:48
Last Modified: 27 Aug 2021 17:23
URI: https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/10352

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