Using Monte Carlo simulations and analytic methods, we examine the dynamics of inter-species competition using the Penna bit-string model. We begin with a study of the steady state with a single species, then proceed to the dynamics of competition between two species. When the species are not evenly matched in fitness, a simple differential equation provides a satisfactory model of the behavior of the system. However, when the species are equally fit, we show that a model, originally proposed to describe population genetics [Fisher,Wright], is required. When mutations are allowed between the competing species, the dynamics becomes more interesting. The mutation rate becomes a parameter that dictates the steady state behavior. If the two species are not equally fit, the value of the mutation rate determines whether the longer-lived or faster reproducing species is favored. With two species that are equally fit, the steady state varies with mutation rate from a single peaked to a double peaked distribution. This behavior is shown to be well described by an extension to the Fisher-Wright model mentioned above. Finally, we describe the preliminary results of a few new lines of investigation, and suggest ideas for further study of the dynamics of this model. / Ph. D.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/26986 |
| Date | 20 April 2001 |
| Creators | Astalos, Robert Joseph |
| Contributors | Physics, Zia, Royce K. P., Tauber, Uwe C., Schmittmann, Beate, Indebetouw, Guy J., Hagedorn, George A. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf, application/octet-stream, application/octet-stream, application/octet-stream, application/octet-stream |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
| Relation | Mu01DiffN.avi, NoMutEqualN.avi, thesis.pdf, Mu1DiffN.avi, NoMutDiffN.avi |
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