Ecolog: If this post is not appropriate* for discussion here, I would appreciate it if y'all would forward my question to more appropriate lists and ask any respondents to contact me directly.
Do species-specific relationships (e.g. dung beetle species and the dung of a specific animal) evolve from generalists? If not, how? If the "host" (the case cited does not appear to be one of parasitism or even mutualism, so what is it?) becomes extinct, does the species dependent upon it also become extinct, or does a shift to another species occur in some cases? What factors, mechanisms and dynamics are involved? Are there better ways of asking the question? I'll appreciate any improvement. Should I relate the question to global climate change? WT *While I see this subject as fundamental to ecology, this remark is in consideration of a past post to the contrary in case it was representative of the majority of subscribers.
