Convergence of a discrete selection-mutation model with exponentially decaying mutation kernel to a Hamilton-Jacobi equation

Abstract: In this paper we derive a Hamilton-Jacobi equation with obstacle from a discrete linear integro-differential model in population dynamics, with exponentially decaying mutation kernel. The fact that the kernel has exponential decay leads to a modification of the classical Hamilton-Jacobi equation obtained previously from continuous models in \cite{BMP}. We consider a population parameterized by a scaling parameter $K$ and composed of individuals characterized by a quantitative trait, subject to selection and mutation. In the regime of large population $K\rightarrow +\infty,$ small mutations and large time we prove that the WKB transformation of the density converges to the unique viscosity solution of a Hamilton-Jacobi equation with obstacle.