Sliep, Dennis (2022) Effect of environmental fluctuations on adaptive radiation in Anolis lizards: a theoretical study. Master's Research Project 1, Ecology and Evolution.
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Abstract
Adaptive radiation is a widespread phenomenon where one ancestral species gives rise to many new species that occupy different environments. This study aims to analyse how adaptive radiations are affected by recurring environmental change by using Anolis lizards on the islands of the Greater Antilles as its model species. Anoles live in an area affected by El Niño, a recurring phenomenon that will temporary cause changes to the environment. This could then alter environmental circumstances and change the anole’s suitability to each habitat. The expectation is that by chance, the desired phenotype in two habitats becomes either more or less similar than before the change, altering ease of radiation. This analysis was done by using an individual based model, where the environment is made up of six structural microhabitats, called niches here. An individual’s survival will depend on how well its phenotype is suited to the niche. The phenotype is made up of six traits. Each niche has a different optimum value for each trait and individuals are more suited to the niche when approaching these optima. Thus all niches will be a certain morphological distance away from each other, which affects the ease of radiation between these niches. This ease is also affected by dispersal rate and selection strength. During simulations, empty niches can eventually become occupied (population size at least 20% of carrying capacity). Individuals can then start to adapt to the niche, full niche adap
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master's Research Project 1) |
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| Supervisor name: | Weissing, F.J. and Riederer, J.M. |
| Degree programme: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Thesis type: | Master's Research Project 1 |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Jan 2023 10:57 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Jan 2023 10:57 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/29098 |
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