Adam Lipowski (Institute of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań) Computational modeling of evolutionary systems: ecosystems and languages

Abstract: We present a brief introduction into modeling of evolutionary systems using lattice models. First, a two-species prey-predator ecosystem is considered. Its description in terms of Lotky-Volterra is given and compared with predictions of lattice models. Numerical evidence is presented that in sufficiently low dimension fluctuations wash out periodic oscillations. Next we discuss multi-species ecosystems. Particular attention is put to the problem of extinctions. We mention about the hypothesis of Gould and Sepkosky that mass extinctions might be periodic in time. A model of coevolving species is presented that might support such a scenario. Finally, we describe an extension of the naming game model that incorporates an evolutionarily selected learning ability of agents that try to establish a common vocabulary. At a certain value of the control parameter the model shows a discontinuous bio-linguistic transition where both linguistic and biological characteristics change abruptly. Genetic imprinting of the learning abilities of agents proceeds through the Baldwin effect, that is also briefly discussed.   References: 1. D. Chowdhury and D. Stauffer, J. of Biosciences 30, 277 (2005). 2. A. Pękalski, 2004. A short guide to predator-prey lattice models, Comput. Sci. Eng. 6, 62-66. 3. Newman, M. E. J & Palmer, R. G., 2003. Modelling Extinction, (Oxford University Press, New York). 4. M. A. Nowak, N. L. Komarova, and P. Niyogi, Computational and evolutionary aspects of language. Nature 417, 417 (2002). 5. A. Baronchelli, M. Felici, V. Loreto, E. Caglioti, and L. Steels, J. Stat. Mech. P06014 (2006). 6. A. Lipowski: Oscillatory behaviour in a lattice prey-predator system. Phys. Rev. E 60, 5179 (1999). 7. A. Lipowski, Periodicity of mass extinctions without an extraterrestrial cause. Phys. Rev E 71, 052902 (2005). 8. A. Lipowski and D. Lipowska, Long term evolution of an ecosystem with spontaneous periodicity of mass extinctions. Theory in Biosci. 125, 67 (2006). 9. A.Lipowski and D.Lipowska, Bio-linguistic transition and Baldwin effect in an evolutionary naming-game model, submitted to Int.J.Mod.Phys.C.