Speciation with gene flow in a heterogeneous virtual world: can physical obstacles accelerate speciation?
Abbas Golestani1,*, Robin Gras1,2 and Melania Cristescu2,3
+Author Affiliations
Abbas Golestani1,*, Robin Gras1,2 and Melania Cristescu2,3
+Author Affiliations
1School of Computer Science, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
2Department of Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
3Great Lakes Institute, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
2Department of Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
3Great Lakes Institute, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
Author for correspondence (golesta@uwindsor.ca).
Abstract
The origin of species remains one of the most controversial and least understood topics in evolution. While it is being widely accepted that complete cessation of gene-flow between populations owing to long-lasting geographical barriers results in a steady, irreversible increase of divergence and eventually speciation, the extent to which various degrees of habitat heterogeneity influences speciation rates is less well understood. Here, we investigate how small, randomly distributed physical obstacles influence the distribution of populations and species, the level of population connectivity (e.g. gene flow), as well as the mode and tempo of speciation in a virtual ecosystem composed of prey and predator species. We adapted an existing individual-based platform, EcoSim, to allow fine tuning of the gene flow's level between populations by adding various numbers of obstacles in the world. The platform implements a simple food chain consisting of primary producers, herbivores (prey) and predators. It allows complex intra- and inter-specific interactions, based on individual evolving behavioural models, as well as complex predator–prey dynamics and coevolution in spatially homogenous and heterogeneous worlds. We observed a direct and continuous increase in the speed of evolution (e.g. the rate of speciation) with the increasing number of obstacles in the world. The spatial distribution of species was also more compact in the world with obstacles than in the world without obstacles. Our results suggest that environmental heterogeneity and other factors affecting demographic stochasticity can directly influence speciation and extinction rates.
Abstract
The origin of species remains one of the most controversial and least understood topics in evolution. While it is being widely accepted that complete cessation of gene-flow between populations owing to long-lasting geographical barriers results in a steady, irreversible increase of divergence and eventually speciation, the extent to which various degrees of habitat heterogeneity influences speciation rates is less well understood. Here, we investigate how small, randomly distributed physical obstacles influence the distribution of populations and species, the level of population connectivity (e.g. gene flow), as well as the mode and tempo of speciation in a virtual ecosystem composed of prey and predator species. We adapted an existing individual-based platform, EcoSim, to allow fine tuning of the gene flow's level between populations by adding various numbers of obstacles in the world. The platform implements a simple food chain consisting of primary producers, herbivores (prey) and predators. It allows complex intra- and inter-specific interactions, based on individual evolving behavioural models, as well as complex predator–prey dynamics and coevolution in spatially homogenous and heterogeneous worlds. We observed a direct and continuous increase in the speed of evolution (e.g. the rate of speciation) with the increasing number of obstacles in the world. The spatial distribution of species was also more compact in the world with obstacles than in the world without obstacles. Our results suggest that environmental heterogeneity and other factors affecting demographic stochasticity can directly influence speciation and extinction rates.
speciation, gene flow, individual-based simulation, predator–prey system,
Received February 28, 2012.
Accepted March 29, 2012.
This journal is © 2012 The Royal Society
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences
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Accepted March 29, 2012.
This journal is © 2012 The Royal Society
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences
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NOTA DESTE BLOGGER:
Nota bene, este é um artigo com revisão por pares, e os autores dizem logo na primeira linha que a origem das espécies é um dos (tem muito mais) tópicos mais controverso e menos compreendido em evolução. ALGUÉM ME BELISQUE!!! A Nomenklatura científica mente ao afirmar para o público que Darwin, o homem que teve a maior ideia que toda a humanidade já teve, EXPLICOU a origem das espécies.
NADA MAIS FALSO! Uma leitura despreocupada, mas objetiva, revela que Darwin na sua obra (confusa) Origem das espécies, não explicou a origem das espécies e nem as variações (aspecto biológico que ele mais abordou no livro).
Gente, eu fico é cada vez mais decepcionado com a historiografia mainstream que tece loas sobre loas sobre Darwin ter sido o homem que colocou a ciência da Biologia num patamar científico que não tinha antes. NADA MAIS FALSO! A literatura científica demonstra que desde 1859 Darwin não explicou e nem explica a origem das espécies!!! Alguém se habilita explicar a origem das espécies? Francisco Salzano, Sergio Pena???
Nota bene, este é um artigo com revisão por pares, e os autores dizem logo na primeira linha que a origem das espécies é um dos (tem muito mais) tópicos mais controverso e menos compreendido em evolução. ALGUÉM ME BELISQUE!!! A Nomenklatura científica mente ao afirmar para o público que Darwin, o homem que teve a maior ideia que toda a humanidade já teve, EXPLICOU a origem das espécies.
NADA MAIS FALSO! Uma leitura despreocupada, mas objetiva, revela que Darwin na sua obra (confusa) Origem das espécies, não explicou a origem das espécies e nem as variações (aspecto biológico que ele mais abordou no livro).
Gente, eu fico é cada vez mais decepcionado com a historiografia mainstream que tece loas sobre loas sobre Darwin ter sido o homem que colocou a ciência da Biologia num patamar científico que não tinha antes. NADA MAIS FALSO! A literatura científica demonstra que desde 1859 Darwin não explicou e nem explica a origem das espécies!!! Alguém se habilita explicar a origem das espécies? Francisco Salzano, Sergio Pena???
