Experimental evolution of communities team

The Experimental Evolution of Communities team uses theoretical and experimental approaches to understand the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of species interactions and disease. We integrate eco-evolutionary processes in dynamical landscapes, into which we incorporate issues such as spatio-temporal variation in environmental conditions, disturbance and connectivity (dispersal), speciation and reproductive interference and how species interactions impact virulence evolution. We also study cancer evolution, the evolution of social strategies and innovations. Our main experimental systems are protozoan model species (Tetrahymena, Paramecium) and their natural enemies (Didinium, Holospora), and spider mites from the Tetranychus species complex and their host plants. We use experimental evolution with all these systems to see how species interactions impact evolution and inbred lines to ascertain genetic links between life-history traits. We are also starting fieldwork with both (the protozoan and spider mite) systems, that will be coupled with laboratory experiments to enhance understanding about species interactions in natural populations.