Figure 4

Estimates of networks complexity as a function of both network size and environmental challenge. A) Average Effective Phenotypic Complexity (EPC) estimated for different network sizes and environmental challenges (OLP). Network sizes of 4, 6, 9, 14 and 19 nodes are represented as decreasing shades of gray. Error bars are 95% confidence intervals. B) and C) same as A but for the metrics Principal Component Phenotypic Complexity (PCPC) and Informational Complexity (IC). D) Networks adapted to an OLP of 2 and having similar fitness and PCPC are presented with their respective value of PCPC and IC. On the networks graphed, the width of a connection reflects the impact of the underlying weight on fitness. A large width reflects a weight that impaired fitness largely when mutated. Large differences in the internal structuring of networks affected their IC but not their phenotypic complexity that remained more linked to the function performed.