Citation
Butterflies and plants: A study in coevolution
TL;DR
Plants in Apiaceae family produce furanocoumarins that deter most herbivores
This foundational paper introduced the concept of escape-and-radiate co-evolution, fundamentally changing how biologists understand the reciprocal evolutionary relationships between species. Ehrlich and Raven studied butterflies and their host plants, discovering that plants 'escape' herbivory by evolving novel toxins, then radiate into new ecological niches.
The paper's insight that co-evolution occurs in episodic bursts rather than continuous escalation has profound implications for business strategy: it suggests that competitive advantages from innovation may be temporary but can enable significant expansion before competitors catch up.
Key Findings from Ehrlich & Raven (1964)
- Plants in Apiaceae family produce furanocoumarins that deter most herbivores
- Papilionidae butterflies evolved detoxification mechanisms for these toxins
- Co-evolution occurs in episodic bursts: escape, radiate, catch-up, repeat
- Plant chemical diversity correlates with species diversity and herbivore diversity