https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050637
Self-organisation of female menopause in populations with child-care and reproductive risk
1
Laboratoire de Physique et Mécanique des Milieux
Hétérogènes, ESPCI,
10 rue Vauquelin, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
2
Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense,
Avenida Litorânea, s/n, 24210-340 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Received:
12
September
1998
Accepted:
14
September
1998
Published online: 15 February 1999
In this paper, by using a computer model for the evolution of age-structured populations, we show that in a sexual population subject to: (i) senescence, (ii) age-increasing reproductive risks, and (iii) long juvenile dependence, menopause arises spontaneously, in order to guarantee the survival of the offspring.
PACS: 87.10.+e – General, theoretical, and mathematical biophysics (including logic of biosystems, quantum biology, and relevant aspects of thermodynamics, information theory, cybernetics, and bionics) / 02.70.Lq – Monte-Carlo and statistical methods / 07.05.Rm – Data presentation and visualization: algorithms and implementation
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 1999
