On Nov 30, 2005, PED Seminar Series Presents

A Simple Model for Multilevel Selection

by Arne Traulsen

A stochastic model for multilevel selection is introduced. Consider a population that is subdivided into groups. Individuals reproduce proportional to their fitness. When a group reaches a certain size it has a probability to split into two groups while another group is eliminated. In this stochastic process, the number of groups is constant and the total population size fluctuates between well defined bounds. The fixation probability of newly introduced mutants under constant selection is computed. The described population structure acts as a suppressor of selection compared to an unstructured population of the same size. For frequency dependent selection, conditions under which the population structure favors the evolution of cooperation are derived.

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