Genomic evidence for long-term ecological interdependence of a plant-hummingbird mutualism.

Genomic analysis reveals synchronized population fluctuations over millions of years in a plant-hummingbird mutualism on Dominica.

• Why it matters: Understanding long-term coadaptation in mutualisms is challenging due to ecological complexity and partner switching, making it difficult to confirm persistent reciprocal evolution.
• What they did: The study used genomic approaches to analyze population trajectories and genetic diversity in the purple-throated carib hummingbird and two Heliconia plant species, examining 3 partners over evolutionary time.
• The result: Findings show aligned population size fluctuations and mirrored genetic diversity patterns, supporting long-term ecological interdependence and coadaptation in this mutualism.