Evolutionary and population dynamics: a coupled approach

We study the interplay of population growth and evolutionary dynamics using a stochastic model based on birth and death events. In contrast to the common assumption of an independent population size, evolution can be strongly affected by population dynamics in general. Especially for fast reproducin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Vol. 84; no. 5 Pt 1; p. 051921
Main Authors Cremer, Jonas, Melbinger, Anna, Frey, Erwin
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.2011
Subjects
Biological Evolution
Microbiology
Models, Theoretical
Population Dynamics
Time Factors
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Summary:We study the interplay of population growth and evolutionary dynamics using a stochastic model based on birth and death events. In contrast to the common assumption of an independent population size, evolution can be strongly affected by population dynamics in general. Especially for fast reproducing microbes which are subject to selection, both types of dynamics are often closely intertwined. We illustrate this by considering different growth scenarios. Depending on whether microbes die or stop to reproduce (dormancy), qualitatively different behaviors emerge. For cooperating bacteria, a permanent increase of costly cooperation can occur. Even if not permanent, cooperation can still increase transiently due to demographic fluctuations. We validate our analysis via stochastic simulations and analytic calculations. In particular, we derive a condition for an increase in the level of cooperation.
ISSN:1550-2376
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.84.051921