circpg10_fast_cfix.csv from The effect of network topology on optimal exploration strategies and the evolution of cooperation in a mobile population

We model a mobile population interacting over an underlying spatial structure using a Markov movement model. Interactions take the form of public goods games, and can feature an arbitrary group size. Individuals choose strategically to remain at their current location or to move to a neighbouring location, depending upon their exploration strategy and the current composition of their group. This builds upon previous work where the underlying structure was a complete graph (i.e. there was effectively no structure). Here, we consider alternative network structures and a wider variety of, mainly larger, populations. Previously, we had found when cooperation could evolve, depending upon the values of a range of population parameters. In our current work, we see that the complete graph considered before promotes stability, with populations of cooperators or defectors being relatively hard to replace. By contrast, the star graph promotes instability, and often neither type of population can resist replacement. We discuss potential reasons for this in terms of network topology.

本研究采用马尔可夫运动模型（Markov movement model），对基于隐含空间结构开展互动的移动种群进行建模。种群间的互动以公共物品博弈（public goods game）为形式，且可支持任意规模的群体。个体将基于自身的探索策略与当前群体构成，策略性地选择留在当前位置，或是迁移至邻近位置。本研究基于此前的工作展开——此前的研究中，种群的隐含结构为完全图（complete graph，即本质上无结构）。而在本研究中，我们考虑了其他类型的网络结构，以及更多样化、且整体规模更大的种群。此前我们曾发现，合作能否演化取决于一系列种群参数的取值。在本研究中我们发现，此前探讨的完全图结构能够促进种群稳定性，合作者或背叛者种群相对难以被替代。与之形成对比的是，星型网络（star graph）结构会加剧种群不稳定性，两类种群通常都难以抵御替代。我们将从网络拓扑结构（network topology）的角度，探讨造成这一差异的潜在原因。