Evolutionary Dynamics of a Natural Population

Evolutionary Dynamics of a Natural Population

Author: B. Rosemary Grant

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 1989-11-14

Total Pages: 394

ISBN-13: 9780226305905

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The result of one of the most detailed and careful examinations of the behavior and ecology of a vertebrate ever conducted in the wild, this study addresses one of the major questions in evolutionary biology: why do some populations vary so much in morphological, ecological, behavioral, and physiological traits? By documenting the full range of variation within one population of a species and investigating the causal factors, Rosemary and Peter Grant provide impressive evidence that species are capable of evolutionary change within observable periods of time. Among the most dramatic examples of recent speciation and adaptive diversification are Darwin's Finches, which live in the Galápagos Islands. Darwin theorized that these closely related birds had evolved from a common ancestor to fill the available ecological niches on this remote archipelago. Not only have they evolved into thirteen species, but more recent study has shown that many of them exhibit striking variation in beak structure and other traits. For more than a decade, the Grants have studied one of these species, the large cactus finch, on the isolated Isla Genovesa. They present information on the environment and demographic features of the population, then discuss the range of genetic, ecological, and behavioral factors responsible for the unusually large morphological variation. They place the large cactus finch in its community setting to better understand its evolution and conclude by discussing the implications of the study for the genetic structure of small populations and the problems of conserving them. They illustrate their findings with an array of drawings, tables, and photographs.


Book Synopsis Evolutionary Dynamics of a Natural Population by : B. Rosemary Grant

Download or read book Evolutionary Dynamics of a Natural Population written by B. Rosemary Grant and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 1989-11-14 with total page 394 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The result of one of the most detailed and careful examinations of the behavior and ecology of a vertebrate ever conducted in the wild, this study addresses one of the major questions in evolutionary biology: why do some populations vary so much in morphological, ecological, behavioral, and physiological traits? By documenting the full range of variation within one population of a species and investigating the causal factors, Rosemary and Peter Grant provide impressive evidence that species are capable of evolutionary change within observable periods of time. Among the most dramatic examples of recent speciation and adaptive diversification are Darwin's Finches, which live in the Galápagos Islands. Darwin theorized that these closely related birds had evolved from a common ancestor to fill the available ecological niches on this remote archipelago. Not only have they evolved into thirteen species, but more recent study has shown that many of them exhibit striking variation in beak structure and other traits. For more than a decade, the Grants have studied one of these species, the large cactus finch, on the isolated Isla Genovesa. They present information on the environment and demographic features of the population, then discuss the range of genetic, ecological, and behavioral factors responsible for the unusually large morphological variation. They place the large cactus finch in its community setting to better understand its evolution and conclude by discussing the implications of the study for the genetic structure of small populations and the problems of conserving them. They illustrate their findings with an array of drawings, tables, and photographs.

Evolutionary Games and Population Dynamics

Evolutionary Games and Population Dynamics

Author: Josef Hofbauer

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1998-05-28

Total Pages: 356

ISBN-13: 9780521625708

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Every form of behaviour is shaped by trial and error. Such stepwise adaptation can occur through individual learning or through natural selection, the basis of evolution. Since the work of Maynard Smith and others, it has been realised how game theory can model this process. Evolutionary game theory replaces the static solutions of classical game theory by a dynamical approach centred not on the concept of rational players but on the population dynamics of behavioural programmes. In this book the authors investigate the nonlinear dynamics of the self-regulation of social and economic behaviour, and of the closely related interactions between species in ecological communities. Replicator equations describe how successful strategies spread and thereby create new conditions which can alter the basis of their success, i.e. to enable us to understand the strategic and genetic foundations of the endless chronicle of invasions and extinctions which punctuate evolution. In short, evolutionary game theory describes when to escalate a conflict, how to elicit cooperation, why to expect a balance of the sexes, and how to understand natural selection in mathematical terms.


Book Synopsis Evolutionary Games and Population Dynamics by : Josef Hofbauer

Download or read book Evolutionary Games and Population Dynamics written by Josef Hofbauer and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1998-05-28 with total page 356 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Every form of behaviour is shaped by trial and error. Such stepwise adaptation can occur through individual learning or through natural selection, the basis of evolution. Since the work of Maynard Smith and others, it has been realised how game theory can model this process. Evolutionary game theory replaces the static solutions of classical game theory by a dynamical approach centred not on the concept of rational players but on the population dynamics of behavioural programmes. In this book the authors investigate the nonlinear dynamics of the self-regulation of social and economic behaviour, and of the closely related interactions between species in ecological communities. Replicator equations describe how successful strategies spread and thereby create new conditions which can alter the basis of their success, i.e. to enable us to understand the strategic and genetic foundations of the endless chronicle of invasions and extinctions which punctuate evolution. In short, evolutionary game theory describes when to escalate a conflict, how to elicit cooperation, why to expect a balance of the sexes, and how to understand natural selection in mathematical terms.

Eco-evolutionary Dynamics

Eco-evolutionary Dynamics

Author: Andrew P. Hendry

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2020-06-09

Total Pages: 410

ISBN-13: 0691204179

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In recent years, scientists have realized that evolution can occur on timescales much shorter than the 'long lapse of ages' emphasized by Darwin - in fact, evolutionary change is occurring all around us all the time. This work provides an authoritative and accessible introduction to eco-evolutionary dynamics, a cutting-edge new field that seeks to unify evolution and ecology into a common conceptual framework focusing on rapid and dynamic environmental and evolutionary change.


Book Synopsis Eco-evolutionary Dynamics by : Andrew P. Hendry

Download or read book Eco-evolutionary Dynamics written by Andrew P. Hendry and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2020-06-09 with total page 410 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent years, scientists have realized that evolution can occur on timescales much shorter than the 'long lapse of ages' emphasized by Darwin - in fact, evolutionary change is occurring all around us all the time. This work provides an authoritative and accessible introduction to eco-evolutionary dynamics, a cutting-edge new field that seeks to unify evolution and ecology into a common conceptual framework focusing on rapid and dynamic environmental and evolutionary change.

Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics

Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics

Author:

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2014-08-12

Total Pages: 392

ISBN-13: 0128014334

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The theme of this volume is to discuss Eco-evolutionary Dynamics. Updates and informs the reader on the latest research findings Written by leading experts in the field Highlights areas for future investigation


Book Synopsis Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics by :

Download or read book Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics written by and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2014-08-12 with total page 392 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The theme of this volume is to discuss Eco-evolutionary Dynamics. Updates and informs the reader on the latest research findings Written by leading experts in the field Highlights areas for future investigation

Evolutionary Dynamics

Evolutionary Dynamics

Author: Martin A. Nowak

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 2006-09-29

Total Pages: 390

ISBN-13: 0674417755

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At a time of unprecedented expansion in the life sciences, evolution is the one theory that transcends all of biology. Any observation of a living system must ultimately be interpreted in the context of its evolution. Evolutionary change is the consequence of mutation and natural selection, which are two concepts that can be described by mathematical equations. Evolutionary Dynamics is concerned with these equations of life. In this book, Martin A. Nowak draws on the languages of biology and mathematics to outline the mathematical principles according to which life evolves. His work introduces readers to the powerful yet simple laws that govern the evolution of living systems, no matter how complicated they might seem. Evolution has become a mathematical theory, Nowak suggests, and any idea of an evolutionary process or mechanism should be studied in the context of the mathematical equations of evolutionary dynamics. His book presents a range of analytical tools that can be used to this end: fitness landscapes, mutation matrices, genomic sequence space, random drift, quasispecies, replicators, the Prisoner’s Dilemma, games in finite and infinite populations, evolutionary graph theory, games on grids, evolutionary kaleidoscopes, fractals, and spatial chaos. Nowak then shows how evolutionary dynamics applies to critical real-world problems, including the progression of viral diseases such as AIDS, the virulence of infectious agents, the unpredictable mutations that lead to cancer, the evolution of altruism, and even the evolution of human language. His book makes a clear and compelling case for understanding every living system—and everything that arises as a consequence of living systems—in terms of evolutionary dynamics.


Book Synopsis Evolutionary Dynamics by : Martin A. Nowak

Download or read book Evolutionary Dynamics written by Martin A. Nowak and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2006-09-29 with total page 390 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At a time of unprecedented expansion in the life sciences, evolution is the one theory that transcends all of biology. Any observation of a living system must ultimately be interpreted in the context of its evolution. Evolutionary change is the consequence of mutation and natural selection, which are two concepts that can be described by mathematical equations. Evolutionary Dynamics is concerned with these equations of life. In this book, Martin A. Nowak draws on the languages of biology and mathematics to outline the mathematical principles according to which life evolves. His work introduces readers to the powerful yet simple laws that govern the evolution of living systems, no matter how complicated they might seem. Evolution has become a mathematical theory, Nowak suggests, and any idea of an evolutionary process or mechanism should be studied in the context of the mathematical equations of evolutionary dynamics. His book presents a range of analytical tools that can be used to this end: fitness landscapes, mutation matrices, genomic sequence space, random drift, quasispecies, replicators, the Prisoner’s Dilemma, games in finite and infinite populations, evolutionary graph theory, games on grids, evolutionary kaleidoscopes, fractals, and spatial chaos. Nowak then shows how evolutionary dynamics applies to critical real-world problems, including the progression of viral diseases such as AIDS, the virulence of infectious agents, the unpredictable mutations that lead to cancer, the evolution of altruism, and even the evolution of human language. His book makes a clear and compelling case for understanding every living system—and everything that arises as a consequence of living systems—in terms of evolutionary dynamics.

Evolutionary Dynamics of Genetic Diversity

Evolutionary Dynamics of Genetic Diversity

Author: G. S. Mani

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-03-13

Total Pages: 323

ISBN-13: 3642515886

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Book Synopsis Evolutionary Dynamics of Genetic Diversity by : G. S. Mani

Download or read book Evolutionary Dynamics of Genetic Diversity written by G. S. Mani and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-03-13 with total page 323 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Game-Theoretical Models in Biology

Game-Theoretical Models in Biology

Author: Mark Broom

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2013-03-27

Total Pages: 522

ISBN-13: 1439853215

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Covering the major topics of evolutionary game theory, Game-Theoretical Models in Biology presents both abstract and practical mathematical models of real biological situations. It discusses the static aspects of game theory in a mathematically rigorous way that is appealing to mathematicians. In addition, the authors explore many applications of game theory to biology, making the text useful to biologists as well. The book describes a wide range of topics in evolutionary games, including matrix games, replicator dynamics, the hawk-dove game, and the prisoner’s dilemma. It covers the evolutionarily stable strategy, a key concept in biological games, and offers in-depth details of the mathematical models. Most chapters illustrate how to use MATLAB® to solve various games. Important biological phenomena, such as the sex ratio of so many species being close to a half, the evolution of cooperative behavior, and the existence of adornments (for example, the peacock’s tail), have been explained using ideas underpinned by game theoretical modeling. Suitable for readers studying and working at the interface of mathematics and the life sciences, this book shows how evolutionary game theory is used in the modeling of these diverse biological phenomena.


Book Synopsis Game-Theoretical Models in Biology by : Mark Broom

Download or read book Game-Theoretical Models in Biology written by Mark Broom and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2013-03-27 with total page 522 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Covering the major topics of evolutionary game theory, Game-Theoretical Models in Biology presents both abstract and practical mathematical models of real biological situations. It discusses the static aspects of game theory in a mathematically rigorous way that is appealing to mathematicians. In addition, the authors explore many applications of game theory to biology, making the text useful to biologists as well. The book describes a wide range of topics in evolutionary games, including matrix games, replicator dynamics, the hawk-dove game, and the prisoner’s dilemma. It covers the evolutionarily stable strategy, a key concept in biological games, and offers in-depth details of the mathematical models. Most chapters illustrate how to use MATLAB® to solve various games. Important biological phenomena, such as the sex ratio of so many species being close to a half, the evolution of cooperative behavior, and the existence of adornments (for example, the peacock’s tail), have been explained using ideas underpinned by game theoretical modeling. Suitable for readers studying and working at the interface of mathematics and the life sciences, this book shows how evolutionary game theory is used in the modeling of these diverse biological phenomena.

Analysis of Evolutionary Processes

Analysis of Evolutionary Processes

Author: Fabio Dercole

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2008-02-11

Total Pages: 360

ISBN-13: 1400828341

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Quantitative approaches to evolutionary biology traditionally consider evolutionary change in isolation from an important pressure in natural selection: the demography of coevolving populations. In Analysis of Evolutionary Processes, Fabio Dercole and Sergio Rinaldi have written the first comprehensive book on Adaptive Dynamics (AD), a quantitative modeling approach that explicitly links evolutionary changes to demographic ones. The book shows how the so-called AD canonical equation can answer questions of paramount interest in biology, engineering, and the social sciences, especially economics. After introducing the basics of evolutionary processes and classifying available modeling approaches, Dercole and Rinaldi give a detailed presentation of the derivation of the AD canonical equation, an ordinary differential equation that focuses on evolutionary processes driven by rare and small innovations. The authors then look at important features of evolutionary dynamics as viewed through the lens of AD. They present their discovery of the first chaotic evolutionary attractor, which calls into question the common view that coevolution produces exquisitely harmonious adaptations between species. And, opening up potential new lines of research by providing the first application of AD to economics, they show how AD can explain the emergence of technological variety. Analysis of Evolutionary Processes will interest anyone looking for a self-contained treatment of AD for self-study or teaching, including graduate students and researchers in mathematical and theoretical biology, applied mathematics, and theoretical economics.


Book Synopsis Analysis of Evolutionary Processes by : Fabio Dercole

Download or read book Analysis of Evolutionary Processes written by Fabio Dercole and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2008-02-11 with total page 360 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Quantitative approaches to evolutionary biology traditionally consider evolutionary change in isolation from an important pressure in natural selection: the demography of coevolving populations. In Analysis of Evolutionary Processes, Fabio Dercole and Sergio Rinaldi have written the first comprehensive book on Adaptive Dynamics (AD), a quantitative modeling approach that explicitly links evolutionary changes to demographic ones. The book shows how the so-called AD canonical equation can answer questions of paramount interest in biology, engineering, and the social sciences, especially economics. After introducing the basics of evolutionary processes and classifying available modeling approaches, Dercole and Rinaldi give a detailed presentation of the derivation of the AD canonical equation, an ordinary differential equation that focuses on evolutionary processes driven by rare and small innovations. The authors then look at important features of evolutionary dynamics as viewed through the lens of AD. They present their discovery of the first chaotic evolutionary attractor, which calls into question the common view that coevolution produces exquisitely harmonious adaptations between species. And, opening up potential new lines of research by providing the first application of AD to economics, they show how AD can explain the emergence of technological variety. Analysis of Evolutionary Processes will interest anyone looking for a self-contained treatment of AD for self-study or teaching, including graduate students and researchers in mathematical and theoretical biology, applied mathematics, and theoretical economics.

Mathematical Ecology

Mathematical Ecology

Author: Thomas G. Hallam

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 455

ISBN-13: 3642698883

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There isprobably no more appropriate location to hold a course on mathematical ecology than Italy, the countryofVito Volterra, a founding father ofthe subject. The Trieste 1982Autumn Course on Mathematical Ecology consisted of four weeksofvery concentrated scholasticism and aestheticism. The first weeks were devoted to fundamentals and principles ofmathematicalecology. A nucleusofthe material from the lectures presented during this period constitutes this book. The final week and a half of the Course was apportioned to the Trieste Research Conference on Mathematical Ecology whose proceedings have been published as Volume 54, Lecture Notes in Biomathematics, Springer-Verlag. The objectivesofthe first portionofthe course wereambitious and, probably, unattainable. Basic principles of the areas of physiological, population, com munitY, and ecosystem ecology that have solid ecological and mathematical foundations were to be presented. Classical terminology was to be introduced, important fundamental topics were to be developed, some past and some current problems of interest were to be presented, and directions for possible research were to be provided. Due to time constraints, the coverage could not be encyclopedic;many areas covered already have merited treatises of book length. Consequently, preliminary foundation material was covered in some detail, but subject overviewsand area syntheseswerepresented when research frontiers were being discussed. These lecture notes reflect this course philosophy.


Book Synopsis Mathematical Ecology by : Thomas G. Hallam

Download or read book Mathematical Ecology written by Thomas G. Hallam and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 455 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There isprobably no more appropriate location to hold a course on mathematical ecology than Italy, the countryofVito Volterra, a founding father ofthe subject. The Trieste 1982Autumn Course on Mathematical Ecology consisted of four weeksofvery concentrated scholasticism and aestheticism. The first weeks were devoted to fundamentals and principles ofmathematicalecology. A nucleusofthe material from the lectures presented during this period constitutes this book. The final week and a half of the Course was apportioned to the Trieste Research Conference on Mathematical Ecology whose proceedings have been published as Volume 54, Lecture Notes in Biomathematics, Springer-Verlag. The objectivesofthe first portionofthe course wereambitious and, probably, unattainable. Basic principles of the areas of physiological, population, com munitY, and ecosystem ecology that have solid ecological and mathematical foundations were to be presented. Classical terminology was to be introduced, important fundamental topics were to be developed, some past and some current problems of interest were to be presented, and directions for possible research were to be provided. Due to time constraints, the coverage could not be encyclopedic;many areas covered already have merited treatises of book length. Consequently, preliminary foundation material was covered in some detail, but subject overviewsand area syntheseswerepresented when research frontiers were being discussed. These lecture notes reflect this course philosophy.

Analytical Population Dynamics

Analytical Population Dynamics

Author: T. Royama

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 9401129169

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A knowledge of animal population dynamics is essential for the proper management of natural resources and the environment. This book, now available in paperback, develops basic concepts and a rigorous methodology for the analysis of animal population dynamics to identify the underlying mechanisms.


Book Synopsis Analytical Population Dynamics by : T. Royama

Download or read book Analytical Population Dynamics written by T. Royama and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A knowledge of animal population dynamics is essential for the proper management of natural resources and the environment. This book, now available in paperback, develops basic concepts and a rigorous methodology for the analysis of animal population dynamics to identify the underlying mechanisms.