Population Genetics with Fluctuating Population Sizes

Standard neutral population genetics theory with a strictly fixed population size has important limitations. An alternative model that allows independently fluctuating population sizes and reproduces the standard neutral evolution is reviewed. We then study a situation such that the competing specie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of statistical physics 2017-05, Vol.167 (3-4), p.777-791
Main Authors: Chotibut, Thiparat, Nelson, David R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adiabatic flow
Analysis
Fixation
Genetics
Mathematical and Computational Physics
Physical Chemistry
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Population genetics
Quantum Physics
Statistical Physics and Dynamical Systems
Theoretical
Variation
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Summary:Standard neutral population genetics theory with a strictly fixed population size has important limitations. An alternative model that allows independently fluctuating population sizes and reproduces the standard neutral evolution is reviewed. We then study a situation such that the competing species are neutral at the equilibrium population size but population size fluctuations nevertheless favor fixation of one species over the other. In this case, a separation of timescales emerges naturally and allows adiabatic elimination of a fast population size variable to deduce the fluctuation-induced selection dynamics near the equilibrium population size. The results highlight the incompleteness of the standard population genetics with a strictly fixed population size.
ISSN:0022-4715
1572-9613
DOI:10.1007/s10955-017-1741-y