Interactive evolution for simulated natural evolution

Abstract

Evolutionary algorithms of selection and variation by recombination and/or mutation have been used to simulate biological evolution. This paper demonstrates how interactive evolution can be used to study the evolution of simulated natural evolution. Since interactive evolution allows the user to direct the development of models of natural systems, it can be used to direct the evolution of models of animals and plants. We show that interactivity of artificial evolution can serve as a useful tool in the ontogenesis and phylogenesis of simulated models. This may help paleontologists solve problems in identifying likely missing links and provides a technique to generate constrained conjectures regarding gaps in evolutionary data.