Genetic correlations and ecological networks shape coevolving mutualisms
Assis et al., 2020
Ecological interactions shape the evolution of multiple species traits
in populations. These traits are often linked to each other through
genetic correlations, affecting how each trait evolves through selection
imposed by interacting partners. Here, we integrate quantitative
genetics, coevolutionary theory and network science to explore how trait
correlations affect the coevolution of mutualistic species not only in
pairs of species but also in species‐rich networks across space. We show
that genetic correlations may determine the pace of coevolutionary
change, affect species abundances and fuel divergence among populations
of the same species. However, this trait divergence promoted by genetic
correlations is partially buffered by the nested structure of
species‐rich mutualisms. Our study, therefore, highlights how
coevolution and its ecological consequences may result from conflicting
processes at different levels of organisation, ranging from genes to
communities.
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