Species Differentiation In Axelrod'S Model

We have proposed a new approach for Axelrod's model to describe newly recognized mechanisms of speciation based on the interbreedings between genetically similar species. By tracking the propagation of genetic information through the network, our modeling suggests that species (agents) that once were able to exchange genetic information tend to evolve to a predominant species or even differentiate into distinct species. Furthermore, a genome distance measurement (separation degree) is here defined and shown to capture the phase transition of the model, thus working as an alternative and computationally less costly order parameter.