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Selection for altruistic defense in structured populations

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  • Jordan, Felix
  • Hutzenthaler, Martin
  • Metzler, Dirk

Abstract

We model natural selection for or against an anti-parasite (or anti-predator) defense allele in a host (or prey) population that is structured into many demes. The defense behavior has a fitness cost for the actor compared to non defenders (“cheaters†) in the same deme and locally reduces parasite growth rates. Hutzenthaler et al. (2022) have analytically derived a criterion for fixation or extinction of defenders in the limit of large populations, many demes, weak selection and slow migration. Here, we use both individual-based and diffusion-based simulation approaches to analyze related models. We find that the criterion still leads to accurate predictions for settings with finitely many demes and with various migration patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordan, Felix & Hutzenthaler, Martin & Metzler, Dirk, 2025. "Selection for altruistic defense in structured populations," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 13-24.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:thpobi:v:161:y:2025:i:c:p:13-24
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tpb.2024.11.001
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