Coevolution alters predator life history traits, behavior and morphology in experimental microbial communities

Abstract

Predator-prey interactions are key for the dynamics of many ecosystems. An increasing body of evidence suggests that rapid evolution and co-evolution can alter these interactions, with important ecological implications, by acting on traits determining fitness, including reproduction, anti-predatory defense and foraging efficiency. However, most studies to date have focused only on evolution in the prey species, and the predator traits in (co-)evolving systems remain poorly understood. Here we investigated changes in predator traits after ~600 generations in a predator-prey (ciliate-bacteria) evolutionary experiment. Predators independently evolved on seven different prey species, allowing generalization of the predators evolutionary response. We used highly resolved automated image analysis to quantify changes in predator life history, morphology and behavior. Consistent with previous studies, we found that prey evolution impaired growth of the predator. In contrast, predator evolution did not cause a clear increase in fitness when feeding on ancestral prey. However, predator evolution affected morphology and behavior, increasing size, speed and directionality of movement, which have all been linked to higher prey search efficiency. These results show that in (co-)evolving systems, predator adaptation can occur in traits relevant to offense level without translating into an increased ability of the predator to grow on the ancestral prey type.