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

Abstract: We study the effect of speciation, i.e. the introduction of new species through evolution into communities, in the setting of predator-prey systems. Predator-prey dynamics is classically well modeled by Lotka-Volterra equations, also when multiple predator and prey species co-exist. The consequences of the emergence of new species in such systems are much less well understood. 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.