The ecology and evolution of mutualism

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My research program aims to understand the ecology and evolution of cooperation among species, or mutualism. Mutualisms are common and integral parts of all ecological communities and they have played key roles in the diversification of life. Over the next five years, I will develop my research program at the University of Toronto to investigate the following questions about the ecology and evolution of mutualism: (1) What mechanisms promote the evolution and persistence of mutualism? The prevalence of mutualisms in nature can be difficult to reconcile with a selfish-gene view of evolution. Instead of mutualists, natural selection should favour cheaters that take the benefits of mutualism but do not reciprocate. Why then do mutualisms abound in nature? (2) How does partner diversity in mutualisms shape the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of populations? Strict one-to-one species-specificity is rare in mutualisms. Instead, most mutualisms involve multiple partner species on one or both sides of the interaction. The members of my research group will investigate how the dynamics of multi-species mutualisms depend on the relative costs and benefits of interactions among alternative partners. (3) How do mutualisms vary over geographic landscapes? The costs and benefits of mutualism differ not only among different pairs of partner species within a community, but also among communities. In my research group, we will explore the relationship between mutualism and meta-community structure through molecular phylogeographic analyses. (4) Finally, what are the community-level consequences of mutualism? Through this research program, I will (i) train students in a range of field and laboratory techniques commonly used in ecological and evolutionary research and (ii) shed light on fundamental questions about the ecology and evolution of mutualism.