9 research outputs found
The frequency-dependent Wright-Fisher model: diffusive and non-diffusive approximations
We study a class of processes that are akin to the Wright-Fisher model, with
transition probabilities weighted in terms of the frequency-dependent fitness
of the population types. By considering an approximate weak formulation of the
discrete problem, we are able to derive a corresponding continuous weak
formulation for the probability density. Therefore, we obtain a family of
partial differential equations (PDE) for the evolution of the probability
density, and which will be an approximation of the discrete process in the
joint large population, small time-steps and weak selection limit. If the
fitness functions are sufficiently regular, we can recast the weak formulation
in a more standard formulation, without any boundary conditions, but
supplemented by a number of conservation laws. The equations in this family can
be purely diffusive, purely hyperbolic or of convection-diffusion type, with
frequency dependent convection. The particular outcome will depend on the
assumed scalings. The diffusive equations are of the degenerate type; using a
duality approach, we also obtain a frequency dependent version of the Kimura
equation without any further assumptions. We also show that the convective
approximation is related to the replicator dynamics and provide some estimate
of how accurate is the convective approximation, with respect to the
convective-diffusion approximation. In particular, we show that the mode, but
not the expected value, of the probability distribution is modelled by the
replicator dynamics. Some numerical simulations that illustrate the results are
also presented