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SPATIAL EVOLUTIONARY DYNAMICS WORKSHOP
Institut des Systemes Complexes (ISC), Paris, October 17, 2008
This workshop addresses the special features of evolutionary dynamics
that occur in explicitly spatial models compared with traditional mean
field models.

The aim is to bring together scientists studying the effects of
spatial extent ("isolation by distance") and configuration on
evolutionary dynamics. Authors are invited to submit a 1-page abstract
on their research, or on a review and discussion about any aspect of
spatial evolutionary dynamics. Contributions may be original or
already published (please specify when submitting).

Keynote speaker: Paulien Hogeweg <http://www-binf.bio.uu.nl/ph>
Organizing committee: Guy Hoelzer <http://www.scsr.nevada.edu/~bioweb/
hoelzer.html> and Rene Doursat <http://doursat.free.fr>
Workshop Website: http://www.iscpif.fr/SED2008

Overview
Evolutionary theory remains largely entrenched in the lessons of
mathematical models assuming well-mixed populations, or sets of
subpopulations without any spatial configuration (the so-called
"island model" of migration), which cannot exhibit the emergence of
spatial pattern or its influence on evolutionary rates. However, these
behaviors have been routinely observed in spatially explicit
computational models of the evolutionary process (usually agent-based)
developed in recent years, and they represent general aspects of
complex systems theory.

This is a very important trend for evolutionary theory as
diversification of types is the central concept of evolutionary
biology. Darwin established this as the core idea of evolution with
the title of his book on "the origin of species". Now is an ideal time
to identify and characterize the spatially explicit computational
modeling approach for understanding the evolutionary process. There
have been over 100 papers published exploring spatially explicit
computational evolution models, which appear to present a consistent
message revealing inadequacies of neo-Darwinistic mean-field models
and calling for a new understanding of spatio-temporal evolutionary
dynamics. For example, extending models of evolving populations in one
or more spatial dimensions seems to frequently (always?) tend toward
spatial self-organization (population subdivision/speciation) and
enhance ecological and social adaptation (including the evolution of
cooperation). We hope that interactions during this workshop will help
to clarify which aspects of traditional evolutionary theory are
generally challenged by these models.

To give an example, here is a link to a recent paper by the organizers
exploring parapatric speciation in the absence of environmental
influences:

http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000126

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Important Dates:
Deadline for abstract submission: Tuesday, September 30
Notification of acceptance: Friday, October 3
Abstracts should be submitted electronically by email addressed to
both organizers: Guy Hoelzer ( hoelzer[AT]unr.edu ) and Rene Doursat
( rene.doursat[AT]polytechnique.edu ).
The number of speakers is limited to 12 and the total number of
attendees to 35.
Submissions will be reviewed based on their relevance to the workshop,
clarity, and overall quality.
If you only want to attend without giving a presentation, please
notify the organizers by email.
There is no registration fee for this workshop.

TOPICS OF INTEREST
While we anticipate that most presentations will describe particular
models and their behavior, contributions and viewpoints about the
following topics are especially encouraged:

Similarities and differences in modeling approaches and assumptions.
Similar and dissimilar outcomes (behaviors) of alternative spatially
explicit evolutionary models or empirical examples.
To what extent do our efforts represent a major paradigm shift for
evolutionary biology. If this is a significant paradigm shift, then
how do we most effectively communicate the new perspective to
colleagues during the transition?
What role should traditional mean-field theory of population genetics
play in the future?
For example, is it sufficient for most circumstances in the same sense
that Newtonian models generally suffice even after the theory has been
superseded by general relativity?
Alternatively, the mean-field models may be too error prone under most
circumstances, recommending wholesale replacement by spatially
explicit models.
Can we begin to prescribe a framework to guide the development of
future spatially explicit computational models of evolution?
While we, as colleagues, may recognize commonalities and categories
among our models, they often appear to be disconnected and
idiosyncratic to evolutionary biologists trained to recognize more
traditional types of models. It could be very useful if we could
begin to agree upon a consistent terminology for categorizing the new
forms of models in computational evolution. This might help others to
more easily see the theoretical threads connecting various
computational models, thus facilitating a more rapid appreciation for
the depth of this new perspective.
Finally, what possible transfers and applications could be created
toward artificial evolution of spatially distributed devices?

Program
The details of the program will be announced once we have a list of
scientists interested in presenting at the workshop. All speakers will
be asked to give relatively brief (around 30mn) presentations about
their models and/or views about such models. The workshop will
conclude with a round table discussion aiming to characterize this
body of research and its future prospects.