title: Evolution of specialization under non-equilibrium population dynamics.
abstract: We analyze the evolution of specialization in resource utilization in a mechanistically underpinned discrete-time model using the adaptive dynamics approach. We assume two nutritionally equivalent resources that in the absence of consumers grow sigmoidally towards a resource-specific carrying capacity. The consumers use resources according to the law of mass-action with rates involving trade-off. The resulting discrete-time model for the consumer population has over-compensatory dynamics. We illuminate the way non-equilibrium population dynamics affect the evolutionary dynamics of the resource consumption rates, and show that evolution to the trimorphic coexistence of a generalist and two specialists is possible due to asynchronous non-equilibrium population dynamics of the specialists. In addition, various forms of cyclic evolutionary dynamics are possible. Furthermore, evolutionary suicide may occur even without Allee effects and demographic stochasticity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. tuilnu@utu.fi
authors.forename: Tuomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nurmi
authors.forename: Kalle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parvinen
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D016015:Logistic Models; D008954:Models, Biological; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013997:Time Factors