The interplay of two mutations in a population of varying size: a stochastic eco-evolutionary model for clonal interference

TL;DR

This paper introduces a stochastic eco-evolutionary model for clonal interference in asexual populations, accounting for non-transitive interactions and predicting complex genetic patterns like coexistence and cyclic dominance.

Contribution

It presents a novel individual-based model that relaxes classical assumptions, enabling the prediction of diverse evolutionary outcomes in clonal interference.

Findings

Predicts coexistence of multiple mutants

Identifies emergence of Rock-Paper-Scissors cycles

Questions classical fixation time and probability assumptions

Abstract

Clonal interference, competition between multiple co-occurring beneficial mutations, has a major role in adaptation of asexual populations. We provide a simple individual based stochastic model of clonal interference taking into account a wide variety of competitive interactions which can be found in nature. In particular, we relax the classical assumption of transitivity between the different mutations. It allows us to predict genetic patterns, such as coexistence of several mutants or emergence of Rock-Paper-Scissors cycles, which were not explained by existing models. In addition, we call into questions some classical preconceived ideas about fixation time and fixation probability of competing mutations.