Non-equilibrium physics and evolution-adaptation, extinction, and ecology: a Key Issues review

Evolutionary dynamics in nature constitute an immensely complex non-equilibrium process. We review the application of physical models of evolution, by focusing on adaptation, extinction, and ecology. In each case, we examine key concepts by working through examples. Adaptation is discussed in the co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reports on progress in physics 2014-10, Vol.77 (10), p.102602-102602
Main Authors: Kussell, E, Vucelja, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Adaptation, Physiological - genetics
Animals
Bacteria
Biological diversity
Biological Evolution
biological physics
Dynamics
Ecology
Ecosystem
Evolution, Molecular
Evolutionary
evolutionary dynamics
Extinction
Extinction, Psychological - physiology
Genetics, Population
Humans
Models, Genetic
population extinction
Population Growth
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Summary:Evolutionary dynamics in nature constitute an immensely complex non-equilibrium process. We review the application of physical models of evolution, by focusing on adaptation, extinction, and ecology. In each case, we examine key concepts by working through examples. Adaptation is discussed in the context of bacterial evolution, with a view toward the relationship between growth rates, mutation rates, selection strength, and environmental changes. Extinction dynamics for an isolated population are reviewed, with emphasis on the relation between timescales of extinction, population size, and temporally correlated noise. Ecological models are discussed by focusing on the effect of spatial interspecies interactions on diversity. Connections between physical processes-such as diffusion, turbulence, and localization-and evolutionary phenomena are highlighted.
ISSN:0034-4885
1361-6633
DOI:10.1088/0034-4885/77/10/102602