The estimation of fitness in iteroparous species during population replacement experiments

Abstract

A model is proposed for a species with overlapping generations near equilibrium. This model incorporates a standard strain in competition with a strain carrying compound chromosomes. A method of estimating the relative fitness of the compounds is described and tested by Monte Carlo simulation. The results show that the method is robust and can be used over a variety of life history patterns for estimating fitness and, with less precision, generation time.