PNC is often assumed when discussing niche evolution, but here shows this shouldn't be taken for granted. Rapid adaptations needed to survive new environments likely demanded faster evolutionary change than PNC could allow...breaking the evolutionary rule! Read the full paper below 👇
buff.ly/LX6JuDG

Niche position & breadth were tested against different evolutionary models, finding Brownian Motion (where traits change gradually due to random shifts) to be the best fit. In other words, these species aren't as restricted to their ancestral niche as one might expect! What does this mean? (5/6)

Sometimes its not always clear if similar niches are due to shared ancestry (PNC) or as a result of these interactions. Here, this was investigated in ants and swollen-thorn acacias using phylogenetic trees for both species' groups. Using a whole-tree & split-pairwise approach, how was this done?

Sometimes, species remain in the same niches as their ancestors - known as the Phylogenetic Niche Conservation hypothesis. As such, closely related species often have similar niches...except where coevolution has occurred...maybe? (3/6)

Nature is full of fascinating relationships, but nothing quite compares to mutualisms. It is these relationships, as well as the physical environment, that helps to define a species' ecological niche (the world a species lives in)...but why do we care? (2/6)

As a Learned Society, our journals provide vital income that funds our charitable endeavours and community engagement. By reviewing for us, you give back to our community and contribute to our mission of creating a world where nature is understood, valued, and protected. (2/2)