title: Evolution of species trait through resource competition.
abstract: To understand the evolution of diverse species, theoretical studies using a Lotka-Volterra type direct competition model had shown that concentrated distributions of species in continuous trait space often occurs. However, a more mechanistic approach is preferred because the competitive interaction of species usually occurs not directly but through competition for resource. We consider a chemostat-type model where species consume resource that are constantly supplied. Continuous traits in both consumer species and resource are incorporated. Consumers utilize resource whose trait values are similar with their own. We show that, even when resource-supply has a continuous distribution in trait space, a positive continuous distribution of consumer trait is impossible. Self-organized generation of distinct species occurs. We also prove global convergence to the evolutionarily stable distribution.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions, Université P. et M. Curie Paris 06, CNRS UMR 7598, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France. mirrahimi@ann.jussieu.fr
authors.forename: Sepideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mirrahimi
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perthame
authors.forename: Joe Yuichiro
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wakano
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D056084:Genetic Fitness; D008954:Models, Biological; D010641:Phenotype; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013045:Species Specificity