Ecological Equivalence: A Realistic Assumption for Niche Theory as a Testable Alternative to Neutral Theory
Figure 2
Equilibrium coexistence of a sexually reproducing parent population nP invaded by an asexual mutant, nM.
With the mutant having identical vital rates except for twice the intrinsic propagation rate per capita: bM = 2⋅bP, the parent species persists if αPM<kP/kM. (A) Phase plane. (B) Equilibration of abundances over time given by Equation 1, with a 50% drop in the parent's intrinsic death rate imposed at t = 3 to illustrate approximate constancy of N = nM+nP.