Towards a replicator dynamics model of age structured populations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel framework combining replicator dynamics with age-structured population models, enabling analysis of strategy evolution across different age groups in populations.

Contribution

It develops a new discretization of the McKendrick von Foerster model and derives a coupled ODE-PDE system for age-structured, strategy-evolving populations.

Findings

Discretization satisfies the Euler--Lotka equation at steady state.

The model's dynamics are equivalent to a Bernadelli-Lewis-Leslie matrix.

Example shows sex ratio dynamics under different mortalities.

Abstract

In this paper we present a new modelling framework combining replicator dynamics (which is the standard model of frequency dependent selection) with the model of an age-structured population. The new framework allows for the modelling of populations consisting of competing strategies carried by individuals who change across their life cycle. Firstly the discretization of the McKendrick von Foerster model is derived. It is shown that the Euler--Lotka equation is satisfied when the new model reaches a steady state (i.e. stable frequencies between the age classes). This discretization consists of the unit age classes and the timescale is chosen that only a fraction of individuals play single game round. This implies linear dynamics within single time unit when individuals not killed during game round are moved from one age class to another. Since its local linear behaviour the system is equivalent to large Bernadelli-Lewis-Leslie matrix. Then the methodology of multipopulation games is used for the derivation of two, mutually equivalent systems of equations. The first contains equations describing the evolution of the strategy frequencies in the whole population completed by subsystems of equations describing the evolution of the age structure for each strategy. The second system contains equations describing the changes of the general population's age structure, completed with subsystems of equations describing the selection of the strategies within each age class. Then the obtained system of replicator dynamics is presented in the form of the mixed ODE-PDE system. The obtained results are illustrated by example of the sex ratio model which shows that when different mortalities of both sexes are assumed, the sex ratio of 0.5 is obtained but that Fisher's mechanism driven by the reproductive value of the different sexes is not in equilibrium.