Core-satellite species hypothesis

The core-satellite hypothesis is a theory in ecology that attempts to explain the pattern of species distributions seen in nature.

Hanski proposed a null metapopulation model that produces such a bimodal distribution.

It assumes that all species are capable of utilizing all sites and makes use of local colonization and extinction dynamics.

He also proposed a connection between the core-satellite hypothesis and the r/K selection theory.

[1][2] An examination of host-parasite data was interpreted by some researchers including Robert May as suggesting that bimodality could be produced by certain distributional features and result without the need for the metapopulation dynamics described by Hanski.