Ratchet Mechanisms in Macroevolutionary Processes

Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/4t64gn611

Abstract

How have we arrived at the diverse set of complex species that we currently find in our world? Using statistical simulations of evolutionary processes, this study investigates how the fundamental minimum sizes of species increase irreversibly over time, and how complexities evolved along the way compound throughout that process. Our results imply that unless a random mutation opens up a new dimension of nichespace for the clade to expand within, the mutation will eventually become extinct due to inherent genetic drift.

Creator