Theoretical Ecology and Evolution Laboratory

Yamamichi Group

Eco-evolutionary dynamics: interactions of rapid evolution and ecological processes

Faculty

YAMAMICHI, Masato
Associate Professor

myamamichi@nig.ac.jp

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 Lab HP

Research Summary

Organisms modify their phenotypes flexibly in response to environmental changes. Such rapid adaptation to environments can prevent population decline and extinction. Our laboratory combines mathematical models, microcosm experiments, and meta-analyses to investigate the effects of rapid evolution and phenotypic plasticity on population and community dynamics as well as complex eco-evolutionary feedbacks. Our aim is revealing dynamics of biodiversity through exploring interactions and simi-larities between intraspecific genetic diversity and species diver-sity in biological communities.

(A) By combining the quantitative genetic model (above) and population dynamic model (below), we construct and analyze mathematical models of eco-evolutionary feedbacks.
(B) Microcosmexperiments with zooplankton (rotifers) and phytoplankton (Chlorella) examine theoretical predictions. Then, based on the experimental results, we construct new theoretical models.

Selected Publications

  • Kawaguchi YW, Yamamichi M. A single episode of sexual reproduction can produce large variation in population growth rates under dual stressors. J Evol Biol. 2025 Jul 21;38(6):778-785
  • Morita K, Yamamichi M. Character displacement or priority effects: immigration timing can affect community assembly with rapid evolution. Proc Biol Sci. 2024 Nov;291(2035):20242145.
  • Ito H, Yamamichi M. A complete classification of evolutionary games with environmental feedback. PNAS Nexus. 2024 Oct 10;3(11):pgae455.
  • Yamamichi M, Letten AD, Schreiber SJ. Eco-evolutionary maintenance of diversity in fluctuating environments. Ecol Lett. 2023 Sep;26 Suppl 1:S152-S167.