Monte Carlo simulations of parapatric speciation

Authored by V Schwaemmle, A O Sousa, Oliveira S M de

Date Published: 2006

DOI: 10.1140/epjb/e2006-00251-5

Sponsors: Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Parapatric speciation is studied using an individual-based model with sexual reproduction. We combine the theory of mutation accumulation for biological ageing with an environmental selection pressure that varies according to the individuals geographical positions and phenotypic traits. Fluctuations and genetic diversity of large populations are crucial ingredients to model the features of evolutionary branching and are intrinsic properties of the model. Its implementation on a spatial lattice gives interesting insights into the population dynamics of speciation on a geographical landscape and the disruptive selection that leads to the divergence of phenotypes. Our results suggest that assortative mating is not an obligatory ingredient to obtain speciation in large populations at low gene flow.

Tags

Competition Evolution sexual selection Model sympatric speciation Populations Divergence Gene flow Lattice Driven