Experimentally simulating the evolution-to-ecology connection: Divergent predator morphologies alter natural food webs

Abstract

The idea that changing environmental conditions drive adaptive evolution is a pillar of evolutionary ecology. But, the opposite—that adaptive evolution alters ecological processes—has received far less attention yet is critical for eco-evolutionary dynamics. We assessed the ecological impact of divergent values in a key adaptive trait using 16 populations of the brown anole lizard ( Anolis sagrei ). Mirroring natural variation, we established islands with short- or long-limbed lizards at both low and high densities. We then monitored changes in lower trophic levels, finding that on islands with a high density of short-limbed lizards, web-spider densities decreased and plants grew more via an indirect positive effect, likely through an herbivore-mediated trophic cascade. Our experiment provides strong support for evolution-to-ecology connections in nature, likely closing an otherwise well-characterized eco-evolutionary feedback loop.

Ecosystem effects of intraspecific variation in a colour polymorphic amphibian

“…Early evidence that evolved phenotypic variation among and within populations could have a wide range of measurable ecological effects is now largely confirmed [2][3][4]. These findings are complemented by recent experiments that help dissect the density-and trait-mediated components of ecoevolutionary feedbacks [5][6][7][8][9][10]. However, evidence for strong linkages between microevolution and ecosystem dynamics has been slow to emerge [11,12].…”