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Evolutionary dynamics and competition stabilize three-species predator–prey communities

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Chen, S 
Täuber, UC 

Abstract

We perform individual-based Monte Carlo simulations in a community consisting of two predator species competing for a single prey species, with the purpose of studying biodiversity stabilization in this simple model system. Predators are characterized with predation efficiency and death rates, to which Darwinian evolutionary adaptation is introduced. Competition for limited prey abundance drives the populations' optimization with respect to predation efficiency and death rates. We study the influence of various ecological elements on the final state, finding that both indirect competition and evolutionary adaptation are insufficient to yield a stable ecosystem. However, stable three-species coexistence is observed when direct interaction between the two predator species is implemented.

Description

Keywords

Evolutionary dynamics, Interspecific competition, Lotka-Volterra model, Multi-species coexistence, Character displacement

Journal Title

Ecological Complexity

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1476-945X
1476-9840

Volume Title

36

Publisher

Elsevier BV