Eur. Phys. J. B 10, 781-785 (1999)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050908

High reproduction rate versus sexual fidelity

Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Av. Litorânea s/n, Boa Viagem, Niterói 24210-340, RJ, Brazil

Corresponding author: ^a suzana@if.uff.br

Received: 18 February 1999
Published online: 15 August 1999

Abstract

We introduce fidelity into the bit-string Penna model for biological ageing and study the advantage of this fidelity when it produces a higher survival probability of the offspring due to paternal care. We attribute a lower reproduction rate to the faithful males but a higher death probability to the offspring of non-faithful males that abandon the pups to mate other females. The fidelity state of the father is transmitted to the male offspring (with or without error). We show that nature may prefer a lower reproduction rate to warrant the survival of the offspring already born.