Simulated self-organization of death by inherited mutations

An agent-based computer simulation of death by inheritable mutations in a changing environment shows a maximal population, or avoids extinction, at some intermediate mutation rate of the individuals. Our results indicate that death seems needed to allow for evolution of the fittest, as required by a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jorge S. Sá Martins, Dietrich Stauffer, Paulo M.C. de Oliveira, Suzana Moss de Oliveira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academia Brasileira de Ciências 2009-12-01
Series:Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0001-37652009000400010
Description
Summary:An agent-based computer simulation of death by inheritable mutations in a changing environment shows a maximal population, or avoids extinction, at some intermediate mutation rate of the individuals. Our results indicate that death seems needed to allow for evolution of the fittest, as required by a changing environment.<br>Simulação computacional de agentes individuais que se reproduzem e morrem por acúmulo de mutações herdadas mostra um máximo da população ou evita extinção, para taxas de mutação intermediárias. Assim, as mortes parecem necessárias para a evolução dos mais adaptados a um ambiente mutante.
ISSN:0001-3765
1678-2690