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Evolutionary pathways in epistatic mechanical networks
Samar Alqatari1, Sidney R Nagel1
1Department of Physics, The James Franck and Enrico Fermi Institutes, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.
Summary
Evolvable matter, like elastic spring networks, shows that high mutation thresholds prevent viable evolutionary paths. Epistasis significantly impacts evolutionary trajectories, with mutations falling into distinct classes.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Complex Systems
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Evolvable matter exhibits adaptive capabilities.
- Elastic spring networks can be engineered for specific functions.
- Network mutations alter function and evolutionary pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate evolutionary pathways in engineered matter.
- Analyze the impact of mutations and epistasis on network function.
- Determine the critical response threshold for evolutionary viability.
Main Methods:
- Generating ensembles of elastic spring networks with varying mutations (M).
- Evaluating M! mutational paths between in-phase and out-of-phase functions.
- Applying a fitness threshold to identify viable evolutionary pathways.
Main Results:
- A critical response threshold exists, above which no viable evolutionary path is found.
- Few pathways remain viable at the critical threshold, dictating evolutionary trajectory.
- Mutations exhibit epistasis, where their effects depend on prior mutations.
- Mutations typically fall into two distinct classes based on epistasis.
Conclusions:
- High response thresholds limit evolutionary possibilities in engineered systems.
- Epistasis plays a crucial role in shaping evolutionary outcomes.
- Understanding mutation position and number is key to predicting evolutionary trajectories.
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