The Agent-Based Model and Simulation of Sexual Selection and Pair Formation Mechanisms

Authored by Rafal Drezewski

Date Published: 2018

DOI: 10.3390/e20050342

Sponsors: Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Platforms: Java

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts Pseudocode Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

In this paper, the agent-based simulation model of sexual selection and pair formation mechanisms is proposed. Sexual selection is a mechanism that occurs when the numbers of individuals of both sexes are almost identical, while reproduction costs for one of the sexes are much higher. The mechanism of creating pairs allows individuals to form stable, reproducing pairs. Simulation experiments carried out using the proposed agent-based model, and several fitness landscapes were aimed at verifying whether sexual selection and the mechanism of pair formation can trigger sympatric speciation and whether they can promote and maintain population diversity. Experiments were mainly focused on the mechanism of pair formation and its impact on speciation and population diversity. Results of conducted experiments show that sexual selection can start speciation processes and maintain the population diversity. The mechanism of creating pairs, when it occurs along with sexual selection, has a significant impact on the course of speciation and maintenance of population diversity.

Tags

Multi-agent systems Evolution Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation Diversity sexual selection Entropy speciation Pair formation Population diversity Evolutionary multiagent system Co-evolutionary