On the rate of evolutionary processes in solitary population waves: Phase transitions in microevolution

Abstract

It is shown that, like physical systems, populations of species can be in different phases, depending on environmental conditions. These phases, like phases of physical systems, are described by specific state equations. The physical phenomenon of solitary population waves is revealed for the phase of invasion of organisms into their secondary range. The mathematical model has a solution in the form of a solitary wave propagating with a constant speed without changes in shape. The self-organization in solitary waves differs sharply from population processes in the primary species range and is close to the physical foundation of the theory of autosolitons. Solitary waves are impossible within the primary species range. A capacity for the formation of solitary waves is only revealed in phylogenetically young “juvenile taxa.” These coenophobes show the highest rates of adaptive changes, are provoked to expand into new areas. Their phase transitions are distinguished not only by an exclusively wide range of fluctuations of population density, but also high phenotypic variability. The macroevolutionary processes can be provided by juvenile taxa in solitary population waves formed as a result of disruption of ecosystems and invasions. Macrotaxa cannot appear in stable successional systems.