On the status of mean fitness maximization as a governing principle in evolution

✍ Scribed by Michael A.B. Deakin

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1973
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 358 KB
• Volume: 35
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1522-9602
• DOI: 10.1016/s0092-8240(73)80006-0

✦ Synopsis

Mean fitness is n o t always m a x i m i z e d u n d e r n a t u r a l selection. I n particular, in t w o locus models, r e c o m b i n a t i o n a n d epistasis m a y combine to p r e v e n t t h e operation of a m a x i m i z i n g principle for m e a n fitness. I f inversion p h e n o m e n a are considered, however, t h e r e exist fully p o l y m o r p h i c equilibria which m a x i m i z e t h e m e a n fitness a n d moreover t h e initial progress of a n inversion can proceed if a n d only if it gives rise to a n increase in m e a n fitness. While n o t applicable to all models, t h e principle of m e a n fitness m a x i m i z a t i o n is still useful heuristically.