The Determinants of Coevolutionary Interactions

Determinants of Coevolutionary Interactions: The Role of Selection and Genetic Potential

• Coevolutionary interactions offer a unique opportunity to study various levels of evolutionary processes.
• However, it is not fully understood why some taxa become involved in coevolutionary interactions while others do not.
• The first step towards coevolution is the initial evolutionary response by one species to selection imposed by another.
• Specialization and coevolution are closely linked, resulting in a restricted set of interacting species.
• The factors that influence adaptive evolutionary change-selection and the genetic potential to respond to selection determine why some species enter into a coevolutionary interaction while others do not.
• The strength and form of selection depend on the ecological interactions among taxa, and the fitness effects of the interaction can vary greatly.
• Limited genetic variation for traits at the phenotypic interface of the interaction might prevent the initial evolutionary response in some taxa.
• Preadaptation may provide the initial headstart that permits some species to enter an interaction and leaves others behind.
• Preadaptation appears to be important in determining participants in mutualisms among yucca and yucca moths and among obligate plant-ant associations.
• Scant evidence exists supporting the view that predators and prey are generally caught in coevolutionary interactions.
• Selection imposed by prey on their predators is rarely expected to balance the much stronger selection of predators on prey.
• Selection is expected to be more equitable when prey are dangerous and can harm or kill predators, but this point still does not explain why some predators respond to selection while others do not.

Determinants of Coevolutionary Interactions: The Role of Selection and Genetic Potential

• Coevolutionary interactions offer a unique opportunity to study various levels of evolutionary processes.
• However, it is not fully understood why some taxa become involved in coevolutionary interactions while others do not.
• The first step towards coevolution is the initial evolutionary response by one species to selection imposed by another.
• Specialization and coevolution are closely linked, resulting in a restricted set of interacting species.
• The factors that influence adaptive evolutionary change-selection and the genetic potential to respond to selection determine why some species enter into a coevolutionary interaction while others do not.
• The strength and form of selection depend on the ecological interactions among taxa, and the fitness effects of the interaction can vary greatly.
• Limited genetic variation for traits at the phenotypic interface of the interaction might prevent the initial evolutionary response in some taxa.
• Preadaptation may provide the initial headstart that permits some species to enter an interaction and leaves others behind.
• Preadaptation appears to be important in determining participants in mutualisms among yucca and yucca moths and among obligate plant-ant associations.
• Scant evidence exists supporting the view that predators and prey are generally caught in coevolutionary interactions.
• Selection imposed by prey on their predators is rarely expected to balance the much stronger selection of predators on prey.
• Selection is expected to be more equitable when prey are dangerous and can harm or kill predators, but this point still does not explain why some predators respond to selection while others do not.