title: Multi-objective optimization shapes ecological variation.
abstract: Ecological systems contain a huge amount of quantitative variation between and within species and locations, which makes it difficult to obtain unambiguous verification of theoretical predictions. Ordinary experiments consider just a few explanatory factors and are prone to providing oversimplified answers because they ignore the complexity of the factors that underlie variation. We used multi-objective optimization (MO) for a mechanistic analysis of the potential ecological and evolutionary causes and consequences of variation in the life-history traits of a species of moth. Optimal life-history solutions were sought for environmental conditions where different life stages of the moth were subject to predation and other known fitness-reducing factors in a manner that was dependent on the duration of these life stages and on variable mortality rates. We found that multi-objective optimal solutions to these conditions that the moths regularly experience explained most of the life-history variation within this species. Our results demonstrate that variation can have a causal interpretation even for organisms under steady conditions. The results suggest that weather and species interactions can act as underlying causes of variation, and MO acts as a corresponding adaptive mechanism that maintains variation in the traits of organisms.
authors.affiliation: Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station, Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Hyytiäläntie 124, 35500 Korkeakoski, Finland. pekka.j.kaitaniemi@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaitaniemi
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scheiner
authors.forename: Tero
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klemola
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ruohomäki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008954:Models, Biological; D009036:Moths / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors