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Wahl LM. The division of labor: genotypic versus phenotypic specialization. Am Nat. 2002;160(1):135-45doi: 10.1086/340601.
Wahl, L. M. (2002). The division of labor: genotypic versus phenotypic specialization. The American naturalist, 160(1), 135-45. https://doi.org/10.1086/340601
Wahl, L M. "The division of labor: genotypic versus phenotypic specialization." The American naturalist vol. 160,1 (2002): 135-45. doi: https://doi.org/10.1086/340601
Wahl LM. The division of labor: genotypic versus phenotypic specialization. Am Nat. 2002 Jul;160(1):135-45. doi: 10.1086/340601. PMID: 18707504.
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Am Nat. 2002 Jul;160(1):135-45. doi: 10.1086/340601.

The division of labor: genotypic versus phenotypic specialization.

The American naturalist

L M Wahl

Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada.

PMID: 18707504 DOI: 10.1086/340601

Abstract

A model of the division of labor in simple evolving systems is explored to compare two strategies evident in natural populations: phenotypic specialization (such as differentiation by regulated gene expression) and genotypic specialization (such as co-infection by complementary covirus populations). While genotypic specialization is vulnerable to the chance extinction of an essential specialist type and to parasitism, phenotypic specialization is able to overcome these hurdles. When simple spatial effects are included, phenotypic specialization has further benefits, protecting against destructive dynamic patterns. Many of the advantages of phenotypic specialization, however, can only be realized when a high degree of relatedness within groups is ensured.

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