Fluctuations and correlations in population models with age structure

Abstract

We study the population profile in a simple discrete time model of population dynamics. Our model, which is closely related to certain ``bit-string'' models of evolution, incorporates competition for resources via a population dependent death probability, as well as a variable reproduction probability for each individual as a function of age. We first solve for the steady-state of the model in mean field theory, before developing analytic techniques to compute Gaussian fluctuation corrections around the mean field fixed point. Our computations are found to be in good agreement with Monte-Carlo simulations. Finally we discuss how similar methods may be applied to fluctuations in continuous time population models.

4 pages

References in corpus (2)

• A Bit-String Model for Biological Aging
• Does Good Mutation Help You Live Longer?

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Stochastic models in population biology and their deterministic analogs
• Punctuated equilibria and 1/f noise in a biological coevolution model with individual-based dynamics
• A kinetic theory for age-structured stochastic birth-death processes
• Fluctuations and correlations in an individual-based model of biological coevolution