Evol Ecol Res 9: 1077-1096 (2007)     Full PDF if your library subscribes.

A simulation study of the evolution of ageing

Owen G. Woodberry,* Kevin B. Korb and Ann E. Nicholson

Clayton School of Information Technology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia

Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed.
e-mail: owenw@infotech.monash.edu.au

ABSTRACT

Hypothesis: Although ageing may reduce individual fitness, it could arise because ageing increases organism turnover and enhances genetic diversity within subpopulations.

The model: We have developed an ALife simulation environment of subpopulations of co-evolving hosts and diseases to test hypotheses, finding differing circumstances in which adaptive, and non-adaptive, ageing evolution occurs.

Conclusions: Our simulations demonstrate conditions that are favourable to the adaptive evolution of ageing. The adaptive evolution of ageing requires a reinterpretation of group selection theory, tying it strongly to what we already know about inclusive fitness theory.

Keywords: adaptation, ageing, co-evolution, diversity, group selection, inclusive fitness, kin selection, units of selection.

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        © 2007 Owen G. Woodberry. All EER articles are copyrighted by their authors. All authors endorse, permit and license Evolutionary Ecology Ltd. to grant its subscribing institutions/libraries the copying privileges specified below without additional consideration or payment to them or to Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. These endorsements, in writing, are on file in the office of Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. Consult authors for permission to use any portion of their work in derivative works, compilations or to distribute their work in any commercial manner.

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