Digest: Process-based phylogenetic models provide unique insights into the evolution of mutualistic networks

Figs and their pollinating fig wasps are a classic example of long-term obligate associations between different species. Satler et al. use a process-based model adopted from molecular evolution to identify the major processes that affect cophylogenetic matching between figs and fig wasps. They find that host-switching is one of the most important evolutionary processes contributing to current cophylogenetic patterns, illustrating the value of probabilistic approaches to studying the evolutionary history of mutualisms.