An Elementary Microscopic Model of Sympatric Speciation

Abstract

Using as a narrative theme the example of Darwin's finches, a microscopic agent-based model is introduces to study sympatric speciation as a result of competition for resources in the same ecological niche. Varying competition among individuals and resource distribution, the model exhibits some of the main features of evolutionary branching processing. The model can be extended to include spatial effects, different genetic loci, sexual mating and recombination, etc.

11 pages, 5 figures