Modelling and simulating Lenski’s long-term evolution experiment

Ellen Baake, González Casanova, Adrián, Sebastian Probst and Anton Wakolbinger

Theoretical Population Biology, 2019, vol. 127, issue C, 58-74

Abstract: We revisit the model by Wiser et al. (2013), which describes how the mean fitness increases over time due to beneficial mutations in Lenski’s long-term evolution experiment. We develop the model further both conceptually and mathematically. Conceptually, we describe the experiment with the help of a Cannings model with mutation and selection, where the latter includes diminishing returns epistasis. The analysis sheds light on the growth dynamics within every single day and reveals a runtime effect, that is, the shortening of the daily growth period with increasing fitness; and it allows to clarify the contribution of epistasis to the mean fitness curve. Mathematically, we explain rigorous results in terms of a law of large numbers (in the limit of infinite population size and for a certain asymptotic parameter regime), and present approximations based on heuristics and supported by simulations for finite populations.

Keywords: Lenski’s long-term evolution experiment; Epistasis; Clonal interference; Runtime effect; Cannings model; Offspring variance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:thpobi:v:127:y:2019:i:c:p:58-74

DOI: 10.1016/j.tpb.2019.03.006

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