The evolution of slow dispersal rates: a reaction diffusion model

Abstract.

 We consider n phenotypes of a species in a continuous but heterogeneous environment. It is assumed that the phenotypes differ only in their diffusion rates. With haploid genetics and a small rate of mutation, it is shown that the only nontrivial equilibrium is a population dominated by the slowest diffusing phenotype. We also prove that if there are only two possible phenotypes, then this equilibrium is a global attractor and conjecture that this is true in general. Numerical simulations supporting this conjecture and suggesting that this is a robust phenomenon are also discussed.