Work

Sources and Sinks: A Stochastic Model of Evolution in Heterogeneous Environments

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: We study evolution driven by spatial heterogeneity in a stochastic model of source-sink ecologies. A sink is a habitat where mortality exceeds reproduction so that a local population persists only due to immigration from a source. Immigrants can, however, adapt to conditions in the sink by mutation. To characterize the adaptation rate, we derive expressions for the first arrival time of adapted mutants. The joint effects of migration, mutation, birth, and death result in two distinct parameter regimes. These results may pertain to the rapid evolution of drug-resistant pathogens and insects.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.248104

Authors: Rutger Hermsen, Terence Hwa

Institution: University of California San Diego

Language: English

Topic: Evolution and Genetic Dynamics

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: G3763059232