ABSTRACT
The evolutionary success of a natural population can sometimes be explained by a key character that enables the taxon to interact with its environment in a different and original way (Galis 2001, Losos 2010), and allows it to be more competitive in the use of resources (Baum and Larson 1991). Such a character is commonly named a “key innovation” (Miller 1949, Van Valen 1971, Levinton 1988, Baum and Larson 1991, Rosenzweigh and McCord 1991, Erwin 1992, Heard and Hauser 1995, Hunter 1998).
