Random evolutionary dynamics in predator–prey systems yields large, clustered ecosystems

Christian H.S. Hamster; Jorik Schaap; Peter van Heijster; Joshua A. Dijksman

doi:10.1016/j.mbs.2025.109417

Random evolutionary dynamics in predator–prey systems yields large, clustered ecosystems

Christian H.S. Hamster^*
, Jorik Schaap
, Peter van Heijster
, Joshua A. Dijksman

^*Corresponding author for this work

Photocatalytic Synthesis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

3 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We study the effect of introducing new species through evolution into communities. We use the setting of predator–prey systems. Predator–prey dynamics is classically well modeled by Lotka–Volterra (LV) equations, also when multiple predator and prey species co-exist. We use a stochastic method to introduce new species in a two-trophic LV system. We find that introducing random evolving species leads to robust ecosystems in which large numbers of species coexist. Crucially, in these large ecosystems an emergent clustering of species is observed, tying functional differences to phylogenetic history.

Original language	English
Article number	109417
Number of pages	15
Journal	Mathematical biosciences
Volume	383
Early online date	18 Mar 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mbs.2025.109417
Publication status	Published - May 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 15 Life on Land

Keywords

Evolutionary modeling
Phylogenetic clustering
Predator–prey models

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10.1016/j.mbs.2025.109417Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

ArticleFinal published version, 8.59 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

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title = "Random evolutionary dynamics in predator{\textendash}prey systems yields large, clustered ecosystems",

abstract = "We study the effect of introducing new species through evolution into communities. We use the setting of predator{\textendash}prey systems. Predator{\textendash}prey dynamics is classically well modeled by Lotka{\textendash}Volterra (LV) equations, also when multiple predator and prey species co-exist. We use a stochastic method to introduce new species in a two-trophic LV system. We find that introducing random evolving species leads to robust ecosystems in which large numbers of species coexist. Crucially, in these large ecosystems an emergent clustering of species is observed, tying functional differences to phylogenetic history.",

keywords = "Evolutionary modeling, Phylogenetic clustering, Predator{\textendash}prey models",

author = "Hamster, \{Christian H.S.\} and Jorik Schaap and \{van Heijster\}, Peter and Dijksman, \{Joshua A.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 The Authors",

year = "2025",

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doi = "10.1016/j.mbs.2025.109417",

language = "English",

volume = "383",

journal = "Mathematical biosciences",

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AU - Hamster, Christian H.S.

AU - Schaap, Jorik

AU - van Heijster, Peter

AU - Dijksman, Joshua A.

PY - 2025/5

Y1 - 2025/5

N2 - We study the effect of introducing new species through evolution into communities. We use the setting of predator–prey systems. Predator–prey dynamics is classically well modeled by Lotka–Volterra (LV) equations, also when multiple predator and prey species co-exist. We use a stochastic method to introduce new species in a two-trophic LV system. We find that introducing random evolving species leads to robust ecosystems in which large numbers of species coexist. Crucially, in these large ecosystems an emergent clustering of species is observed, tying functional differences to phylogenetic history.

AB - We study the effect of introducing new species through evolution into communities. We use the setting of predator–prey systems. Predator–prey dynamics is classically well modeled by Lotka–Volterra (LV) equations, also when multiple predator and prey species co-exist. We use a stochastic method to introduce new species in a two-trophic LV system. We find that introducing random evolving species leads to robust ecosystems in which large numbers of species coexist. Crucially, in these large ecosystems an emergent clustering of species is observed, tying functional differences to phylogenetic history.

KW - Evolutionary modeling

KW - Phylogenetic clustering

KW - Predator–prey models

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105000363395

U2 - 10.1016/j.mbs.2025.109417

DO - 10.1016/j.mbs.2025.109417

M3 - Article

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AN - SCOPUS:105000363395

SN - 0025-5564

VL - 383

JO - Mathematical biosciences

JF - Mathematical biosciences

M1 - 109417

ER -

Random evolutionary dynamics in predator–prey systems yields large, clustered ecosystems

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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Random Evolutionary Dynamics in Predator-Prey Systems Yields Large, Clustered Ecosystems

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