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Evolutionary diversification in stickleback affects ecosystem functioning

Author

Listed:
  • Luke J. Harmon

    (University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-3051, USA
    University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Blake Matthews

    (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
    EAWAG, Aquatic Ecology, Seestrasse 79, 6047 Kastanienbaum, Switzerland)

  • Simone Des Roches

    (University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-3051, USA)

  • Jonathan M. Chase

    (Washington University, St Louis, Missouri 63130, USA)

  • Jonathan B. Shurin

    (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Dolph Schluter

    (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada)

Abstract

Changing places The evolutionary process of adaptive radiation depends on many ecological factors, but what of the reverse — the effect of adaptive radiation on ecosystems? Surprisingly little work has been done on the effects of evolutionary diversification on ecosystems. Harmon et al. now demonstrate such an effect in tests of the ecosystem effects of a pair of stickleback species that have undergone a recent adaptive radiation and now colonize different niches, and also a related generalist that resembles their common ancestor. The experiments used fish from lakes on Texada Island, British Columbia, Canada, in pond-water mesocosms. The species diversification was shown to alter prey community structure, total ecosystem productivity and — via indirect effects on dissolved organic matter — to alter the spectral properties of light transmission in the system. Even over short timescales — the experiments ran for 10 weeks — recently diversified species can have profoundly different effects on an ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Luke J. Harmon & Blake Matthews & Simone Des Roches & Jonathan M. Chase & Jonathan B. Shurin & Dolph Schluter, 2009. "Evolutionary diversification in stickleback affects ecosystem functioning," Nature, Nature, vol. 458(7242), pages 1167-1170, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:458:y:2009:i:7242:d:10.1038_nature07974
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07974
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