Do food web models reproduce the structure of mutualistic networks?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Simple models inspired by processes shaping consumer-resource interactions have helped to establish the primary processes underlying the organization of food webs, networks of trophic interactions among species. Because other ecological interactions such as mutualisms between plants and their pollinators and seed dispersers are inherently based in consumer-resource relationships we hypothesize that processes shaping food webs should organize mutualistic relationships as well.

Methodology/principal findings

We used a likelihood-based model selection approach to compare the performance of food web models and that of a model designed for mutualisms, in reproducing the structure of networks depicting mutualistic relationships. Our results show that these food web mode

SUBMITTER: Pires MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3206955 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature