Resource Competition Triggers the Co-Evolution of Long Tongues and Deep Corolla Tubes
Author Information
Author(s): Rodríguez-Gironés Miguel A., Llandres Ana L.
Primary Institution: Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC), Almería, Spain
Hypothesis
Can resource competition trigger the co-evolution of tongue length and corolla-tube depth in plant-pollinator interactions?
Conclusion
Co-evolution between tongue length and corolla-tube depth is a robust outcome of the model, requiring specific conditions for divergence.
Supporting Evidence
- Co-evolution is observed with a wide range of parameter values.
- Pollinators with longer proboscides can obtain more nectar from flowers with deep corolla tubes.
- Resource competition is necessary for divergence in proboscis length and corolla-tube depth.
Takeaway
Plants with deep flowers and pollinators with long tongues help each other grow by competing for resources, like nectar.
Methodology
An individual-based model was used to simulate the evolution of corolla-tube depth and proboscis length in a community of two flower-visiting species and two plant species.
Limitations
The model's assumptions may not fully capture the complexity of real-world interactions between plants and pollinators.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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