The interplay of two mutations in a population of varying size: a stochastic eco-evolutionary model for clonal interference

Abstract

Clonal interference, competition between multiple co-occurring beneficial mutations, has a major role in adaptation of asexual populations. We provide a simple individual based stochastic model of clonal interference taking into account a wide variety of competitive interactions which can be found in nature. In particular, we relax the classical assumption of transitivity between the different mutations. It allows us to predict genetic patterns, such as coexistence of several mutants or emergence of Rock-Paper-Scissors cycles, which were not explained by existing models. In addition, we call into questions some classical preconceived ideas about fixation time and fixation probability of competing mutations.