Evolution of simple multicellular life cycles in dynamic environments. Issue 154 (31st May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pichugin, Yuriy; Park, Hye Jin; Traulsen, Arne
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Royal Society interface. Volume 16:Issue 154(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-05-31
• Subjects: evolution of multicellularity -- bet-hedging -- reproductive strategy; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Interdisciplinary research -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-5689

Abstract

Abstract : The mode of reproduction is a critical characteristic of any species, as it has a strong effect on its evolution. As any other trait, the reproduction mode is subject to natural selection and may adapt to the environment. When the environment varies over time, different reproduction modes could be optimal at different times. The natural response to a dynamic environment seems to be bet hedging, where multiple reproductive strategies are stochastically executed. Here, we develop a framework for the evolution of simple multicellular life cycles in a dynamic environment. We use a matrix population model of undifferentiated multicellular groups undergoing fragmentation and ask which mode maximizes the population growth rate. Counterintuitively, we find that natural selection in dynamic environments generally tends to promote deterministic, not stochastic, reproduction modes.