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Multiple phase transitions in an agent-based evolutionary model with neutral fitness.
Dawn M King1, Adam D Scott2,3, Sonya Bahar1
1Department of Physics and Astronomy and Center for Neurodynamics, University of Missouri at St Louis, St Louis, MO 63121, USA.
Royal Society Open Science
|May 10, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a new null model for neutral evolution, revealing two phase transitions. Understanding hierarchical evolutionary relationships is key to explaining fossil patterns.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Theoretical ecology
- Complex systems
Background:
- Null models are essential for understanding evolutionary dynamics like speciation and adaptive radiation.
- Previous work demonstrated universal dynamics in a related neutral model, belonging to the directed percolation (DP) universality class.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze an agent-based null model of neutral evolution where organisms are defined solely by phenotype.
- To extend the traditional null condition of neutral fitness to include equal probability of death.
- To identify and characterize phase transitions within this extended neutral evolution model.
Main Methods:
- Agent-based modeling of neutral evolution without selection.
- Extension of neutral fitness to include equal death probability.
- Analysis of phase transitions through generational time and phenotype space.
Main Results:
- Identification of two phase transitions: a non-equilibrium DP transition (survival) and an equilibrium ordinary percolation transition (phenotype space).
- Demonstration that DP reaction-diffusion dynamics lead to sparse phenotype space filling, promoting significant phenotypic diversity within mating clusters.
- Highlighting the importance of hierarchical evolutionary relationships over simple phenotypic similarity for evolutionary modeling.
Conclusions:
- The model provides insights into the mechanisms generating phenotypic diversity under neutral evolution.
- Understanding hierarchical relationships is crucial for accurately modeling phylogenetic patterns and addressing gaps in the fossil record.
- This work contributes to the theoretical framework for studying evolutionary processes and their observable outcomes.
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