Models of Variation in Phenotypic Dynamics: Stochastic Trajectories, Hyperdiversity, and Branching Random Walks Variation in Models of Phenotypic Dynamics: Stochastic Trajectories, The Rise of Hyperdiversity, and Branching Random Walks

Long-term dynamics of populations and their traits reflect the coupling between ecological and evolutionary processes. Here, we present a series of models that consider the generation, maintenance and dynamics of phenotypic variation. First, we show how to formulate evolutionary dynamics in terms of stochastic jump processes. We apply the jump process formalism to the most commonly used model of phenotypic evolution, i.e., the theory of adaptive dynamics. We then predict the variation among repeated evolutionary trajectories within the Lotka-Volterra model of competition for a limiting resource. Next we apply the theory of adaptive dynamics to the study of diversification within host-parasite dynamics. We show that coevolution of traits provides the means to escape the limits on diversity otherwise set by the theory of competitive exclusion. Finally, we present a model of branching random walks and show how clusters of distinct morphological phenotypic groups can arise! via strictly neutral processes.
Contacto: ebiomat@famaf.unc.edu.ar