How does coevolution mold large webs of interacting species?
These studies are using mathematical models and available data from other laboratories to ask how coevolution may shape the traits and patterns of specialization of interacting species in communities in which many species are involved in an interaction. Current work is focused on interactions among pollinators and plants and similar kinds of mutualistic interactions that are crucial for the functioning of most ecosystems worldwide. Our mathematical studies of coevolving webs are being led by postdoctoral associate Paulo Guimarães, who has extensive training in network theory. Pedro Jordano from the Estación Biológica de Doñana in Seville, Spain is collaborating directly with us on this work and Jordi Bascompte, from the same institute, has provided ongoing insights into topology of species networks. We are also collaborating with Victor Rico-Gray from the Instituto de Ecología in Xalapa on analyses of temporal changes in networks of ant-plant interactions in Mexico amid invasion by new
