On the evolutionary emergence of predation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a model where predation ability evolves independently, revealing conditions for its emergence and reproducing complex food webs with top predators not always being the largest.

Contribution

It presents a novel model of predation evolution where predation ability is an independent trait, expanding understanding of food web structures.

Findings

Predation can emerge under specific evolutionary conditions.

The model reproduces stationary and dynamic food webs.

Top predators are not necessarily the largest species.

Abstract

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.