The development, misuse and evidence of the concept “coevolution”

Abstract

Natural selection is one of the most important components of organic evolution, while the concept of coevolution proposes that reciprocal selection generated by interacting species could also drive their organic evolution. Formally raised in 1964, the concept of coevolution has extensively developed, but been misused or even abused. Although continuously emerging studies have verified that some ecological interactions are indeed coevolution, queries of whether it is an acceptable concept remain. To clarify the precise use of the concept, we list and re-induce mistakes in using or misunderstanding of coevolution. Here a concise principle for correct usage is suggested, i.e. confirming three aspects: species interaction, reciprocal selection as well as co-phylogenesis. Bibliometric methods are applied to quantify the development of the coevolution concept, showing the bursting expansion of the term “coevolution” into study fields beyond evolutionary biology, and revealing that current usage of “coevolution” still remains within a reasonable range. Currently, studies of ecological interactions are commonly considered as in the coevolution field. Differences and commonsense of the other six related terms, namely coadaptation, cooperation, interaction, interplay, mutualism and symbiosis, are briefly discussed. Finally, case studies of frontier topics of coevolution, geographic mosaic theory of coevolution, are introduced. A better understanding of the coevolution concept could be achieved if misuse or abuse is avoided. This paper may provide references for future coevolution studies.