On a mathematical relation between the Eigen model and the asexual Wright-Fisher model

Abstract

We show that the Eigen model and the asexual Wright-Fisher model can be obtained as different limit cases of a unique stochastic model. This derivation makes clear which are the exact differences between these two models. The two key concepts introduced with the Eigen model, the error threshold and the quasispecies, are not affected by these differences, so that they are naturally present also in population genetics models. According to this fact, in the last part of the paper, we use the classical diploid mutation-selection equation and the single peak fitness approximation to obtain the error threshold for sexual diploids. Finally, we compare the results with the asexual case.