Journal of Statistical Physics, Vol. 110, Nos. 1/2, January 2003, p. 311-332.
This article describes new models in population genetics that extend the neutral
Wright–Fisher model by including strong selection and mutation. Fixation times
are studied in the limit of small mutation probabilities within the framework of
Markov chains with rare transitions. The main result outlines the role of the
discrete geometry of the fitness landscape and provides a mean for estimating
the expected number of generations for an individual with better fitness value to
appear. Some connections to evolutionary algorithms are discussed as well.