Coevolution

Coevolution , also coevolution , describes in the context of evolutionary theory an evolutionary process with mutual adaptation of two strongly interacting species . This can extend over very long periods in the tribal history of both species. Consequently, the term is restricted to pairs of species in which both species exert strong selective pressure on one another. The result of the coevolution are co- adaptations that occur in both species involved. Coevolutionary processes can be differentiated into mutualistic and antagonistic, depending on whether the developments are of mutual benefit or whether they intensify mutual selection pressure.

Examples

Examples of coevolution are found in the relationships between

• the two types of symbiosis involved , e.g. B. the pollinators and the plants they pollinate ( bedecktsamer )
• Predators and their prey animals or plants ( predator-prey relationship )
• Parasites and their hosts : Agrobacterium tumefaciens (parasite) and dicotyledonous plant (host); Development of hairiness in humans and human lice
• Grazing animals and the grasslands they graze on

Use of terms

The term originally used exclusively in evolutionary biology has been adopted in other disciplines and has changed its meaning depending on the faculty:

• in molecular biology , Gabriel Dover coined the term "molecular coevolution" in 1984
• in memetics :
  • The coevolution of memes and genes .
  • The coevolution of two memplexes like democracy and capitalism
• in astronomy :
  • Theory of the coevolution of galaxies and black holes
  • Theory of the self-organizing universe by Erich Jantsch von Koevolution as a general mechanism of the development of the universe
• in computer science , coevolution of algorithms
• in evolutionary economics as the mutually influencing development of different systems or their components
• in economics

See also

• Analogy (Biology) (Convergent Evolution)
• mimicry
• Mimesis

Web links

Wiktionary: Koevolution  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Futuyma, DJ & Slatkin, M. (eds.): Coevolution . Sinauer Associates: Sunderland 1983; Guimarães Jr, PR; Jordano, P. & Thompson, JN: Evolution and coevolution in mutualistic networks . Ecology Letters 14, 2011: 877-885.
2. ↑ Susan Blackmore : The Power of Memes. Heidelberg, Berlin: Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, 2000, ISBN 3-8274-1601-9 .
3. ↑ Eberhard Feess: Regional Economics