Analysing nature's experiment: Fisher's inductive theorem of natural selection

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Population genetics
• Mathematical biology

Background:

• Fisher's Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection (FTNS) has analytical versions in both continuous and discrete time.
• The discrete-generation FTNS, developed by Ewens (1989) and extended by Ewens and Lessard (2015), uses a 'viability' concept of fitness.
• Fisher's original 1930 theorem employed a different fitness definition: a genotype's relative rate of population change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the inductive nature of Fisher's original 1930 theorem.
• To contextualize Fisher's 1930 theorem within his contemporary work on the analysis of variance.
• To differentiate Fisher's original fitness concept from the 'viability' concept used in modern discrete models.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of Fisher's 1930 work.
• Comparative analysis of fitness concepts in evolutionary theorems.
• Contextualization within the development of analysis of variance.

Main Results:

• Fisher's 1930 theorem possesses a distinct inductive framework.
• Fisher's concept of fitness as a rate of population change contrasts with the viability concept.
• The theorem's inductive nature is illuminated by its connection to agricultural experimental design.

Conclusions:

• Fisher's original theorem offers an alternative inductive perspective on natural selection.
• Understanding the historical context of fitness definitions is crucial in population genetics.
• The inductive approach of Fisher's theorem, linked to analysis of variance, provides unique insights.