Evolutionary branching in a stochastic population model with discrete mutational steps
Journal article, 2013

Evolutionary branching is analysed in a stochastic, individual-based population model under mutation and selection. In such models, the common assumption is that individual reproduction and life career are characterised by values of a trait, and also by population sizes, and that mutations lead to small changes ϵ in trait value. Then, traditionally, the evolutionary dynamics is studied in the limit ϵ→0. In the present approach, small but non-negligible mutational steps are considered. By means of theoretical analysis in the limit of infinitely large populations, as well as computer simulations, we demonstrate how discrete mutational steps affect the patterns of evolutionary branching. We also argue that the average time to the first branching depends in a sensitive way on both mutational step size and population size.

Selection

Evolutionary branching

Genetic drift

Adaptation

Author

Serik Sagitov

Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematical Statistics

University of Gothenburg

Bernhard Mehlig

University of Gothenburg

Peter Jagers

University of Gothenburg

Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematical Statistics

Fima C. Klebaner

Russian Academy of Sciences

Theoretical Population Biology

0040-5809 (ISSN) 1096-0325 (eISSN)

Vol. 83 1 145-154

Subject Categories

Mathematics

Physical Sciences

Biological Sciences

DOI

10.1016/j.tpb.2012.09.002

More information

Latest update

4/16/2018