Survival probabilities for some multitype branching processes in genetics (Q1193524): Difference between revisions

The asymptotic approximation of the survival probability of slightly supercritical \(K\)-type branching processes is developed. A result of \textit{F. M. Hoppe} [ibid., 567-575 (1992); see the preceding review] is thereby improved and a more easily computable expression for the survival probability is given. In genetic applications, the result can be used to approximate the probability that a mutant allele ultimately survives if it first appears in one individual in an age-structured population with two sexes. In preliminary calculations, simple special cases are considered leading to more general approximations. A simple approximation to \(\rho-1\) for large \(K\) is also given, where \(\rho\) denotes the maximal eigenvalue of the expectation matrix. Then general expressions for discrete generations of random mating populations with two sexes are given. These results are then generalized to random mating age structured populations.