Front acceleration by dynamic selection in Fisher population waves

O. Benichou , V. Calvez , N. Meunier , R. Voituriez

Bibtex , URL
PHYSICAL REVIEW E, 86, 4, 1
Published 10 Oct. 2012
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.86.041908
ISSN: 1539-3755

Abstract

We introduce a minimal model of population range expansion in which the phenotypes of individuals present no selective advantage and differ only in their diffusion rate. We show that such neutral phenotypic variability (i.e., that does not modify the growth rate) alone can yield phenotype segregation at the front edge, even in absence of genetic noise, and significantly impact the dynamical properties of the expansion wave. We present an exact asymptotic traveling wave solution and show analytically that phenotype segregation accelerates the front propagation. The results are compatible with field observations such as invasions of cane toads in Australia or bush crickets in Britain.

Cette publication est associée à :

Dynamique stochastique des systèmes réactifs et vivants