A wave model for phenotypic evolution
Organizers
Zhen Li
,
Xin Liang
,
Zhi Ting Ma
,
Hamid Mofidi
,
Li Wang
,
Fan Sheng Xiong
,
Shuo Yang
,
Wu Yue Yang
Speaker
Time
Friday, April 25, 2025 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Venue
A3-1-301
Online
Zoom 928 682 9093
(BIMSA)
Abstract
Background: The debate surrounding variable evolutionary rates remains a central controversy in evolutionary biology. The Modern Synthesis, grounded in genetic theory, posits a linear evolutionary trajectory, while paleontological evidence supporting the punctuated equilibrium hypothesis suggests a long and stable evolution phases of stasis during species persistence punctuated by rapid phenotypic shifts during speciation events. The Darwinian response to punctuated equilibrium maintains that both "punctuated" speciation periods and "equilibrium" stasis phases adhere to consistent genetic principles. Notably, these punctuated phases - though brief in geological timescales - span thousands of generations, theoretically sufficient for substantial phenotypic divergence. However, a persistent theoretical gap remains: Why do equivalent generational timescales produce merely minor phenotypic variations during equilibrium phases, yet drive significant shifts in population mean phenotypes during punctuation events while maintaining substantial genetic variance (as evidenced by neospecies diversity)?
Historically, paleontologists have drawn qualitative parallels between quantum state transitions and rapid speciation, postulating a hypothetical "evolutionary momentum" governing phenotypic shifts. Nevertheless, this metaphorical framework has long lacked quantitative formalization, with the proposed "momentum" remaining conceptually undefined.
Result: We propose a fluctuation conjecture of phenotypic evolution, establishing analogies between the total fitness and the decomposed components of Fertility and wave characteristics (frequency vs. wavelength) through generalized de Broglie relations. Moreover, the reciprocal of finite population size (i.e., individual organisms) and a "quantized" evolutionary unit via a generalized Planck constant. This wave-based model demonstrates dual congruence with biological intuition and intriguing qualitative correspondences to quantum mechanical principles. Remarkably, it permits formulation of Schrödinger-type equations describing "evolutionary wave" dynamics. Current efforts focus on validating this conjecture through population simulation studies.
Historically, paleontologists have drawn qualitative parallels between quantum state transitions and rapid speciation, postulating a hypothetical "evolutionary momentum" governing phenotypic shifts. Nevertheless, this metaphorical framework has long lacked quantitative formalization, with the proposed "momentum" remaining conceptually undefined.
Result: We propose a fluctuation conjecture of phenotypic evolution, establishing analogies between the total fitness and the decomposed components of Fertility and wave characteristics (frequency vs. wavelength) through generalized de Broglie relations. Moreover, the reciprocal of finite population size (i.e., individual organisms) and a "quantized" evolutionary unit via a generalized Planck constant. This wave-based model demonstrates dual congruence with biological intuition and intriguing qualitative correspondences to quantum mechanical principles. Remarkably, it permits formulation of Schrödinger-type equations describing "evolutionary wave" dynamics. Current efforts focus on validating this conjecture through population simulation studies.