Data from: Ecology and macroevolution – evolutionary niche monopolisation as a mechanisms of niche conservatism

Explaining macroevolution from microevolution is a key issue in contemporary evolutionary theory. A recurrent macroevolutionary pattern is that some niche‐related traits consistently evolve slower than others, so called niche conservatism. Despite a growing amount of data, the underlying evolutionary processes are not fully understood. I here analyse adaptive radiations in an individual‐based eco‐evolutionary model. I find a coevolutionary mechanism – evolutionary niche monopolisation – as a possibly important generator of niche conservatism. A single lineage of a radiating clade can monopolise, and later diversify within, a substantial part of the available niche space – much larger than what can be explained by limiting similarity. This leads to niche conservatism, since no species evolves into or out of the monopolised region. The region can in this sense also be described as an adaptive zone. The model indicates that evolutionary niche monopolisation is operative in a large part of parameter space, underlining its possible importance. The mechanism is driven by competitive interactions and differences in niche widths in alternative niche dimensions. I discuss plausible examples of evolutionary niche monopolisation in well‐studied natural systems.从微进化（microevolution）阐释宏进化（macroevolution）是当代进化理论的核心议题。一类反复出现的宏进化模式为：部分与生态位相关的性状的演化速率始终慢于其他性状，即所谓的生态位保守性（niche conservatism）。尽管相关研究的数据量日益增长，但其背后的深层进化过程尚未完全明晰。本文基于个体的生态进化模型（individual-based eco-evolutionary model）对自适应辐射（adaptive radiations）进行分析，发现了一种协同进化机制——进化生态位垄断（evolutionary niche monopolisation），其或为生态位保守性的重要驱动因素之一。辐射演化支的单个谱系可占据并随后在相当规模的可用生态位空间内实现分化，该空间的尺度远超限制相似性（limiting similarity）所能解释的范围。由于无任何物种会演化进入或脱离该被垄断的区域，由此催生了生态位保守性；从这一意义而言，该区域亦可被定义为适应区（adaptive zone）。模型结果表明，进化生态位垄断在绝大多数参数空间（parameter space）中均可生效，进一步凸显了其潜在的重要性。该机制由竞争相互作用与不同生态位维度下的生态位宽度差异共同驱动。本文最后讨论了在研究较为充分的自然系统中，进化生态位垄断的合理例证。