On the evolutionary emergence of predation

In models for the evolution of predation from initially purely competitive species interactions, the propensity of predation is most often assumed to be a direct consequence of the relative morphological and physiological traits of interacting species. Here we explore a model in which predation ability is an independently evolving phenotypic feature, so that even when the relative morphological or physiological traits allow for predation, predation only occurs if the predation ability of individuals has independently evolved to high enough values. In addition to delineating the conditions for the evolutionary emergence of predation, the model reproduces stationary and non-stationary multilevel food webs with the top predators not necessarily having size superiority.

Automated summary

In models for the evolution of predation, predation ability is often assumed to be a result of the relative morphological and physiological traits of interacting species. This study explores a model where predation ability evolves independently as a phenotypic feature, so that even when morphological or physiological traits allow for predation, it only occurs if individuals have evolved sufficiently high predation ability. The model not only identifies the conditions for the emergence of predation, but also reproduces multilevel food webs with top predators not necessarily having size superiority.