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）层面推导宏进化（macroevolution）的机制，是当代进化理论的核心研究问题之一。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，该现象被称为生态位保守性（niche conservatism）。尽管相关研究数据日益丰富，但其背后的深层进化过程仍未被完全阐明。本文采用基于个体的生态进化模型（individual-based eco-evolutionary model），对适应辐射（adaptive radiations）现象展开分析。本研究发现，协同进化机制——进化生态位垄断（evolutionary niche monopolisation）——或是驱动生态位保守性形成的重要成因之一。辐射演化支系（radiating clade）的单个支系可率先占据大量可用生态位空间，随后在该空间内完成多样化分化——其占据的生态位规模远超限制相似性（limiting similarity）理论的解释范畴。该过程将催生生态位保守性，因为没有任何物种会演化进入或脱离该被垄断的生态位区域。从这一视角来看，该区域也可被界定为适应区（adaptive zone）。模型结果表明，进化生态位垄断机制在绝大多数参数空间内均可发挥作用，进一步凸显了该机制的潜在重要性。该机制由种间竞争相互作用，以及不同生态位维度下的生态位宽度差异共同驱动。本文还将结合研究较为充分的自然系统，探讨进化生态位垄断的合理例证。