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Science 29 September 2006:
Vol. 313. no. 5795, p. 1887
DOI: 10.1126/science.1129547
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Technical Comments

Comment on "Asymmetric Coevolutionary Networks Facilitate Biodiversity Maintenance"

J. Nathaniel Holland,1* Toshinori Okuyama,1 Donald L. DeAngelis2

Bascompte et al. (Reports, 21 April 2006, p. 431) used network asymmetries to explain mathematical conditions necessary for stability in historic models of mutualism. The Lotka-Volterra equations they used artificially created conditions in which some factor, such as asymmetric interaction strengths, is necessary for community coexistence. We show that a more realistic model incorporating nonlinear functional responses requires no such condition and is consistent with their data.

1 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
2 U.S. Geological Survey/Florida Integrated Science Center and Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jholland{at}rice.edu

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)