Coevolution of Garter Snakes and Newts
This article explores evolutionary game theory of garter snakes and newts. The garter snake-newt relation is a predator-prey matchup where garter snakes rely on newts as a source of nourishment to survive. The species are involved in a coevolution game; in other words, each player makes changes to its body and biological make-up in order to survive.
In the case of the newt, they have evolved to become more toxic over the years serving as self-defense against the garter snakes. But as the article points out, this evolutionary change comes with a tradeoff of producing less off spring. Therefore, the newts have developed an evolutionary stable mixed strategy balancing the payoff of protection against garter snakes and the damage to their offspring.
The poisonous newt caused garter snakes to evolve and develop a resistance to poison. However, just as in the case of the newt, the garter snake’s biological changes have drawbacks leading it to also have an evolutionary mixed equilibrium. The garter snake’s ability to digest poison results in a slower slithering speed making everyday functions more difficult for the snake. It is required to balance the payoff of consuming poisonous newts with physical capabilities. In the end, both species maintain a balance in their evolutionary stable equilibriums.
Evolutionary Game Theory, Coevolution and Red Queen Syndrome.