Evol Ecol Res 13: 765-778 (2011)     Full PDF if your library subscribes.

Evolutionary effects of different dispersal modes on the origin of polymorphic crypsis in predator–prey systems

Jennie Nilsson Holmér

Theoretical Ecology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

Correspondence: J.N. Holmér, Centre for Environmental and Climate Research, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, 223 62 Lund, Sweden.
e-mail: jennie.holmer@cec.lu.se

ABSTRACT

Scenario: Using adaptive dynamic theory, expose a monomorphic prey population to two habitat types and a visual predator.

Questions: What circumstances can lead to the evolution of polymorphic crypsis? How is the outcome affected by the dispersal pattern of the prey and predator, by the amount of predation, and by the trade-off strength between the habitats?

Mathematical method: I modelled three different dispersal modes: passive dispersal for the prey and a stationary predator; passive dispersal for the prey and habitat choice for the predator; and habitat choice for the prey and no dispersal for the predator.

Conclusions: The different dispersal models produce only minor differences in outcomes. Dispersal rate also seems to have relatively little influence on the evolutionary outcome, with low dispersal rate slightly favouring evolutionary divergence. Other factors (such as the amount of predation and strength of trade-off between the habitats) appear to be more crucial.

Keywords: adaptive dynamics, dispersal, habitat choice, heterogeneous environment, polymorphic crypsis.

DOWNLOAD A FREE, FULL PDF COPY
IF you are connected using the IP of a subscribing institution (library, laboratory, etc.)
or through its VPN.

 

        © 2011 Jennie Nilsson Holmér. All EER articles are copyrighted by their authors. All authors endorse, permit and license Evolutionary Ecology Ltd. to grant its subscribing institutions/libraries the copying privileges specified below without additional consideration or payment to them or to Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. These endorsements, in writing, are on file in the office of Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. Consult authors for permission to use any portion of their work in derivative works, compilations or to distribute their work in any commercial manner.

       Subscribing institutions/libraries may grant individuals the privilege of making a single copy of an EER article for non-commercial educational or non-commercial research purposes. Subscribing institutions/libraries may also use articles for non-commercial educational purposes by making any number of copies for course packs or course reserve collections. Subscribing institutions/libraries may also loan single copies of articles to non-commercial libraries for educational purposes.

       All copies of abstracts and articles must preserve their copyright notice without modification.