Figure 3

Schematic representation of diverse (A) and degenerate (B) populations, each consisting of 8 individuals. In A, one individual for each of the α, γ, and ε types, two individuals of the β type, and three individuals of the δ type are shown, with each type characterized by specific trait values. In B, by contrast, types are represented not by trait values but by ranges of values, manifesting degeneracy. In this hypothetical case, the degeneracy function is Gaussian. The area under each of the curves Α, Γ, and Ε, representing three different types, is 1. The areas under Β and Δ are 2 and 3, respectively, representing 2 and 3 individuals of each type in this small hypothetical population. Note the overlap of the degeneracy ranges. In this case, the degeneracy ranges are equal for all types and individuals, but this is not required in a more general case.