Allelopathy in spatially distributed populations

In a homogeneously mixing population of E. coli, colicin-producing and colicin-sensitive strategies both may be evolutionarily stable for certain parameter ranges, with the outcome of competition determined by initial conditions. In contrast, in a spatially-structured population, there is a unique ESS for any given set of parameters; the outcome is determined by how effective allelopathy is in relation to its costs. Furthermore, in a spatially-structured environment, a dynamic equilibrium may be sustained among a colicin-sensitive type, a high colicin-producing type, and a ''cheater'' that expends less on colicin production but is resistant. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.