Simulated Coevolution in a Mutating Ecology

TL;DR

This study uses the Penna Model to simulate competition between asexual and sexual populations, demonstrating that parasites can promote the evolution of sex, supporting the Red Queen hypothesis.

Contribution

It introduces a mutation-based model of coevolution between sexual and asexual populations under parasitic pressure.

Findings

Sexual populations survive when parasites are present.

A stable environment favors asexual populations.

Parasites drive the evolution of sexual reproduction.

Abstract

The bit-string Penna Model is used to simulate the competition between an asexual parthenogenetic and a sexual population sharing the same environment. A new-born of either population can mutate and become a part of the other with some probability. In a stable environment the sexual population soon dies out. When an infestation by fastly mutating genetically coupled parasites is introduced however, sexual reproduction prevails, as predicted by the so-called Red Queen hypothesis for the evolution of sex.