Community ecology

Consumers’ active choice behavior promotes stable eco-evolutionary units

Individual behavior, interaction mechanisms, temporal organization, and local context are processes that can influence the structure and evolution of ecological interactions. In trophic interactions, consumers can increase their fitness by actively choosing resources that enhance their chances of exploring them successfully. Upon searching for potential resources, they are able to decide which one to choose according to their value and maneuverability. Mathematical modeling is often employed in theoretical studies to understand the coevolutionary dynamics between these species.