Giacomo Zilio, Jhelam N. Deshpande, Alison B. Duncan, Emanuel A. Fronhofer, Oliver Kaltz

Dispersal fuels the interplay between ecology, evolution and adaptation across spatial and temporal scales. Dispersal also determines the encounter between natural enemies and can produce eco-evolutionary feedbacks with potentially profound consequences for the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of antagonistically interacting species. Although both dispersal and interaction traits, such as virulence or resistance, evolve, their concurrent evolution and impact for these dynamics remain understudied. We advocate for a more comprehensive framework, integrating dispersal, interaction and life-history trait evolution in a multi-species context. This integration may substantially alter our current vision of coevolutionary dynamics, and influence projections of range expansion, biological invasions or spreading epidemics, which is particularly relevant with ongoing global change and habitat alteration.