Darwinian Aspects of Molecular Evolution at Sublinear Propagation Rates

Abstract

The symmetric distribution and all other states in the symmetry sector of the frequency trajectory increase mean fitness during competitive replication at sublinear propagation rates (parabolic time course). States in the non-symmetry sector, by contrast, produce negative time variations in mean fitness. The polymorphic steady state attained in sublinear systems is destabilised by formation of a variant with above threshold fitness. Evolution in the post-steady state interval increases threshold fitness. Contrary to the proposition that 'parabolic growth invariably results in the survival of all competing species,' only species with sufficient fitness to avoid subthreshold frequencies survive.