Coevolution

Definition: Reciprocal evolutionary change between interacting species, driven by natural selection. This implies that changes in at least two species reciprocally affect each other's evolution.
Origin of the Idea: The concept was developed by Darwin in 1862 in his work on the Fertilisation of Orchids.

Mutualistic Interactions: Each species involved benefits from the interaction.
Antagonistic Coevolution: Each species decreases the fitness of the other.

Evolutionary Methods:
- From initially neutral interactions.
- From a relationship where one species benefited and the other was neutral.
- From an initially parasitic relationship.
- Even endosymbiosis can be considered a mutualism.

Each fig species is typically pollinated by only one specific wasp species.
Benefits:
- Fig receives necessary reproductive help.
- Flowers are internal, ensuring a degree of protection.
- Wasp deposits eggs in the ovary of some flowers, simultaneously pollinating the flowers.
Outcome: Roughly half of the flowers produce seeds, while the other half produce wasps.
Reciprocal genetic change: Each player benefits or reacts to the advantages of the other.

Interaction: Butterfly larvae and pupae secrete sugars that nourish ants.
Benefit: Ants protect the butterfly larvae and pupae from predators.
Communication: Communication has evolved to facilitate mutualism.
Stridulating pupae attract more ants. The data indicates that stridulating pupae attract a higher mean number of attendant ants compared to muted pupae over a period of time.

Attine ants cultivate basidiomycete fungi as a garden.
Diffuse evolution exists, involving:
- Actinomycete bacteria.
- Escovopsis fungi (parasite).
- Black yeast.
The evolutionary history of fungus-growing ants illustrates a complex relationship with their cultivated fungi and other associated microbes.
The timeline indicates the evolution of different agricultural practices in ants, such as lower agriculture, coral fungus agriculture, yeast agriculture, and higher (