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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.05.24.726501

Temporal niche pursuit in a simulated evolution of sleep/wake patterns

Ambani, K.·Lesku, J.·Hut, R.·Nunn, C.·Phillips, A.
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Abstract

It was long believed early mammals were nocturnal to avoid interactions with day-active dinosaurs. However, recent evidence indicates many dinosaurs were likely nocturnal, suggesting more complex coevolutionary dynamics prevailed. We simulated coevolution of sleep in a general predator/prey system, using a physiological model. We discovered temporal niche pursuit cycles across evolutionary timescales: prey repeatedly escaping into a novel temporal niche, with predators subsequently invading that niche. We characterized multiple oscillatory patterns for pursuit, involving distinct genetic and phenotypic mechanisms. A low-dimensional model recapitulated the dynamics of the physiological model. These findings reveal rich dynamical processes underlying selection of temporal niche.

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Ambani, K., Lesku, J., Hut, R., Nunn, C., Phillips, A.. 2026-05-26. Temporal niche pursuit in a simulated evolution of sleep/wake patterns. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.05.24.726501

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