Asymmetric Mutualism in Two- and Three-Dimensional Range Expansions

Maxim O. Lavrentovich and David R. Nelson
Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 138102 – Published 1 April 2014
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Abstract

Genetic drift at the frontiers of two-dimensional range expansions of microorganisms can frustrate local cooperation between different genetic variants, demixing the population into distinct sectors. In a biological context, mutualistic or antagonistic interactions will typically be asymmetric between variants. By taking into account both the asymmetry and the interaction strength, we show that the much weaker demixing in three dimensions allows for a mutualistic phase over a much wider range of asymmetric cooperative benefits, with mutualism prevailing for any positive, symmetric benefit. We also demonstrate that expansions with undulating fronts roughen dramatically at the boundaries of the mutualistic phase, with severe consequences for the population genetics along the transition lines.

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  • Received 24 August 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.138102

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Maxim O. Lavrentovich* and David R. Nelson

  • Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA

  • *lavrentm@gmail.com
  • nelson@physics.harvard.edu

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Issue

Vol. 112, Iss. 13 — 4 April 2014

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