14,629 research outputs found
Scaling properties of the Penna model
Full text linkWe investigate the scaling properties of the Penna model, which has become a
popular tool for the study of population dynamics and evolutionary problems in
recent years. We find that the model generates a normalised age distribution
for which a simple scaling rule is proposed, that is able to reproduce
qualitative features for all genome sizes.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Mapping the train model for earthquakes onto the stochastic sandpile model
Full text linkWe perform a computational study of a variant of the ``train'' model for
earthquakes [PRA 46, 6288 (1992)], where we assume a static friction that is a
stochastic function of position rather than being velocity dependent. The model
consists of an array of blocks coupled by springs, with the forces between
neighbouring blocks balanced by static friction. We calculate the probability,
P(s), of the occurrence of avalanches with a size s or greater, finding that
our results are consistent with the phenomenology and also with previous models
which exhibit a power law over a wide range. We show that the train model may
be mapped onto a stochastic sandpile model and study a variant of the latter
for non-spherical grains. We show that, in this case, the model has critical
behaviour only for grains with large aspect ratio, as was already shown in
experiments with real ricepiles. We also demonstrate a way to introduce
randomness in a physically motivated manner into the model.Comment: 14 pages and 6 figures. Accepted in European Physical Journal
Bit-String Models for Parasex
Full text linkWe present different bit-string models of haploid asexual populations in
which individuals may exchange part of their genome with other individuals
(parasex) according to a given probability. We study the advantages of this
parasex concerning population sizes, genetic fitness and diversity. We find
that the exchange of genomes always improves these features.Comment: 12 pages including 7 figure
Phase transition in a mean-field model for sympatric speciation
Full text linkWe introduce an analytical model for population dynamics with intra-specific
competition, mutation and assortative mating as basic ingredients. The set of
equations that describes the time evolution of population size in a mean-field
approximation may be decoupled. We find a phase transition leading to sympatric
speciation as a parameter that quantifies competition strength is varied. This
transition, previously found in a computational model, occurs to be of first
order.Comment: accepted for Physica
Simulations of a mortality plateau in the sexual Penna model for biological ageing
Full text linkThe Penna model is a strategy to simulate the genetic dynamics of
age-structured populations, in which the individuals genomes are represented by
bit-strings. It provides a simple metaphor for the evolutionary process in
terms of the mutation accumulation theory. In its original version, an
individual dies due to inherited diseases when its current number of
accumulated mutations, n, reaches a threshold value, T. Since the number of
accumulated diseases increases with age, the probability to die is zero for
very young ages (n = T). Here, instead
of using a step function to determine the genetic death age, we test several
other functions that may or may not slightly increase the death probability at
young ages (n < T), but that decreases this probability at old ones. Our
purpose is to study the oldest old effect, that is, a plateau in the mortality
curves at advanced ages. Imposing certain conditions, it has been possible to
obtain a clear plateau using the Penna model. However, a more realistic one
appears when a modified version, that keeps the population size fixed without
fluctuations, is used. We also find a relation between the birth rate, the
age-structure of the population and the death probability.Comment: submitted to Phys. Rev.
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