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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Evolution of populations expanding on curved surfaces

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Author(s):
Beller, Daniel A. [1, 2] ; Alards, Kim M. J. [3] ; Tesser, Francesca [3, 4] ; Mosna, Ricardo A. [5] ; Toschi, Federico [3] ; Mobius, Wolfram [6, 7]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Brown Univ, Sch Engn, Providence, RI 02912 - USA
[2] Univ Calif Merced, Dept Phys, Merced, CA 95343 - USA
[3] Eindhoven Univ Technol, Dept Appl Phys, POB 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven - Netherlands
[4] Univ Paris Diderot, ESPCI Paris PSL Res Univ, Lab Phys & Mecan Milieux Heterogenes PMMH, CNRS, Sorbonne Univ, F-75005 Paris - France
[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Matemat Aplicada, BR-13083859 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[6] Univ Exeter, Living Syst Inst, Exeter EX4 4QD, Devon - England
[7] Univ Exeter, Coll Engn Math & Phys Sci, Phys & Astron, Exeter EX4 4QL, Devon - England
Total Affiliations: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: EPL; v. 123, n. 5 SEP 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 3
Abstract

The expansion of a population into new habitat is a transient process that leaves its footprints in the genetic composition of the expanding population. How the structure of the environment shapes the population front and the evolutionary dynamics during such a range expansion is little understood. Here, we investigate the evolutionary dynamics of populations consisting of many selectively neutral genotypes expanding on curved surfaces. Using a combination of individual-based off-lattice simulations, geometrical arguments, and lattice-based stepping-stone simulations, we characterise the effect of individual bumps on an otherwise flat surface. Compared to the case of a range expansion on a flat surface, we observe a transient relative increase, followed by a decrease, in neutral genetic diversity at the population front. In addition, we find that individuals at the sides of the bump have a dramatically increased expected number of descendants, while their neighbours closer to the bump's centre are far less lucky. Both observations can be explained using an analytical description of straight paths (geodesics) on the curved surface. Complementing previous studies of heterogeneous flat environments, the findings here build our understanding of how complex environments shape the evolutionary dynamics of expanding populations. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/09357-9 - Physics and geometry of spacetime
Grantee:Alberto Vazquez Saa
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants