Antibiotic resistance and the evolution of group-beneficial traits. II: a metapopulation model.
Inspired by the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, we have developed a model that examines the evolution of "producers" (who secrete a substance that breaks down antibiotics) and non-producers. In a previous study, we found that frequency-dependent selection could favor an intermediate frequency of producers in a single, large population. Here we develop a metapopulation model that examines the evolution of producers and non-producers. Our results indicate that in a metapopulation with many groups, each of size N, the equilibrial frequency of producers decreases with group size. Even when N is high (e.g. 150 individuals/group), however, a significant frequency of producers is still predicted. We also found that the equilibrial frequency of producers increases as the minimum numbers of producers necessary to provide protection to non-producers increases. Lastly, increasing the benefit/cost ratio (b/c) for producers increases their equilibrial frequency.
Dugatkin
Lee Alan
LA
Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40208, USA. lee.dugatkin@louisville.edu
Perlin
Michael
M
Atlas
Ronald
R
D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D005075:Biological Evolution; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D017753:Ecosystem; D008954:Models, Biological; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012641:Selection, Genetic
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents