Inriabcd Seminar, October 9, 2018

Hélène Leman

October 9, 11h00, 4th floor

A stochastic model for the evolution of assortative mating

Mating preference, that is the choice for reproducing partner, is now recognized as a mechanism that may cause reproductive isolation, in the sense that it may impede gene flow between sub-populations: each subpopulation prefers to breed with its peers. However, which evolutionary forces lead to the emergence of such sexual preferences ? In this talk, we will present a stochastic model to answer this problem. By studying both the deterministic model corresponding to the large population behavior and the microscopic stochastic model, we will give conditions that allow the invasion of individuals with a preference in a population with no preference.