Premium
Fisher's Malthusian parameter and reproductive value
Author(s) -
PRICE GEORGE R.,
SMITH CEDRIC A. B.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
annals of human genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1469-1809
pISSN - 0003-4800
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-1809.1972.tb00577.x
Subject(s) - reproductive value , population , value (mathematics) , logarithm , mathematics , selection (genetic algorithm) , statistics , natural selection , econometrics , mathematical economics , biology , demography , computer science , genetics , mathematical analysis , pregnancy , artificial intelligence , sociology , offspring
SUMMARY An explanation is given of Fisher's ‘Malthusian parameter’ m (= Lotka's ‘rate of increase’) and ‘reproductive value’ v . It is pointed out that there is a flaw in fisher's mathemathics due to his neglect of changes in population charactersitcs under natural selection, with the result that m equals the logarithmic rate of change of the total reproductive value of a population. A modified definition is given that does have this property. however, for practical uses in population genetic it may be better to follow Fisher's original definition despite the flaw in them.