Moran Process — Fixation Probability

Genetic drift vs selection · exact Moran formula · fixation time distribution

Parameters

Theoretical π:
Observed fix rate:
Mean fix time:
Trajectories: 0
Moran fixation probability:
π(k) = (1 − r⁻ᵏ) / (1 − r⁻ᴺ)
where r = 1+s (fitness ratio)

Neutral drift (s=0): π = k/N — a single mutant has probability exactly 1/N of taking over.

Key insight: Even strongly beneficial mutations (s>0) are usually LOST by drift when rare. Only ~2s fraction survives when N is large — the "cost of rarity."

Green = fixation, red = extinction