Population dynamics with a mixed type of sexual and asexual reproduction in a fluctuating environment.
BMC Evol Biol
; 12: 49, 2012 Apr 10.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22489797
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Carassius gibelio, a cyprinid fish from Eurasia, has the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. This fish is also known as an invasive species which colonized almost all continental Europe, most likely originating from Asia and Eastern Europe. Populations of both sexually and asexually reproducing individuals exist in sympatry. In this study we try to elucidate the advantages of such a mixed type of reproduction. We investigate the dynamics of two sympatric populations with sexual and asexual reproduction in a periodically fluctuating environment. We define an individual-based computational model in which genotypes are represented by L loci, and the environment is composed of L resources for which the two populations compete.RESULTS:
Our model demonstrates advantageous population dynamics where the optimal percentage of asexual reproduction depends on selection strength, on the number of selected loci and on the timescale of environmental fluctuations. We show that the sexual reproduction is necessary for "generating" fit genotypes, while the asexual reproduction is suitable for "amplifying" them. The simulations show that the optimal percentage of asexual reproduction increases with the length of the environment stability period and decrease with the strength of the selection and the number of loci.CONCLUSIONS:
In this paper we addressed the advantages of a mixed type of sexual and asexual reproduction in a changing environment and explored the idea that a species that is able to adapt itself to environmental fluctuation can easily colonize a new habitat. Our results could provide a possible explanation for the rapid and efficient invasion of species with a variable ratio of sexual and asexual reproduction such as Carassius gibelio.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Reproducción
/
Reproducción Asexuada
/
Carpas
/
Ambiente
/
Modelos Genéticos
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Evol Biol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
Año:
2012
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia