Island time and the interplay between ecology and evolution in species diversification

Abstract

Research on the dynamics of biodiversity has progressed tremendously over recent years, although in two separate directions – ecological, to determine change over space at a given time, and evolutionary, to understand change over time. Integration of these approaches has remained elusive. Archipelagoes with a known geological chronology provide an opportunity to study ecological interactions over evolutionary time. Here, I focus on the Hawaiian archipelago and summarize the development of ecological and evolutionary research; I emphasize spiders because they have attributes allowing analysis of ecological affinities in concert with diversification. Within this framework, I highlight recent insights from the island chronosequence, in particular the importance of (i) selection and genetic drift in generating diversity; (ii) fusion and fission in fostering diversification; and (iii) variability upon which selection can act. Insights into biodiversity dynamics at the nexus of ecology and evolution are now achievable by integrating new tools, in particular (i) ecological metrics (interaction networks, maximum entropy inference) across the chronosequence to uncover community dynamics and (ii) genomic tools to understand contemporaneous microevolutionary change. The work can inform applications of invasion and restoration ecology by elucidating the importance of changes in abundances, interaction strengths, and rates of evolutionary response in shaping biodiversity.

Comparative phylogeography of oceanic archipelagos: Hotspots for inferences of evolutionary process

“…progression rule | speciation | priority effect | community assembly | radiation zone E volutionists are drawn to the study of island biotas for their unique species (1)(2)(3)(4)(5), as refuges of extant, "relict" organisms (6,7), and most famously, for their displays of adaptive radiation (8,9). Likewise, ecologists have long recognized the value of islands as microcosms of the processes of community assembly (10,11).…”

Women in evolution – highlighting the changing face of evolutionary biology

“…; Servedio ; Wellenreuther and Sánchez‐Guillén ), host–parasite interactions (Leftwich et al. ; Myers and Cory ), evolutionary change accompanying invasion (Aktipis ; Gillespie ; Haig et al. ; Lee ; Olivieri et al.…”

“…Myers and Cory () describe long‐term studies to understand how insect population dynamics are shaped by pathogens, particularly the cyclic outbreaks seen in species such as western tent caterpillars. Gillespie () describes her now‐classic work in the Hawaiian archipelago on spider diversification, which spans a range of low levels of ‘nonadaptive radiation’ in some groups (without ecological diversification) to high levels of adaptive radiation (new species formation with ecological diversification). Aubin‐Horth () describes the exciting emergence of ecological genomics as a subfield, which has opened up the black box linking molecules and environmental cues to phenotypic and behavioural variation, focusing on her work on salmonid alternative reproductive tactics.…”

“…The reverse point was also made that children benefit from exposure to their parents’ work, especially when fieldwork accommodates children (Charmantier et al. ; Grant in Box 1; Gillespie ). The work–life balance should thus be framed as finding your personal optimum: the combination of work, sports, music, art, family and/or adventure that personally makes you content and that allows you to work to the best of your ability.…”

“…To young women considering a career in academia, find your passion in research, have faith in yourself (or construct it if needed), and strive to accomplish all that you can accomplish. As obscure as the path can seem, the journey is deeply satisfying.

‘love what you do with a passion ‐ and do what you love with equal passion’ – Rosemary Gillespie ()

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