Towards a simulation of natural mutation

The role of mutation has been frequently underestimated in the field of evolutionary computation.Moreover only little work has been done by researchers on mutations other than the classical point mutation. In this paper we try to address these issues by defining a nature-based mutation operator, the frame-shift. The analysis of the operator performance is accomplished on two frustrated problems by comparing its behavior against that offered by point mutation. Furthermore, the results are validated with the theoretical ones provided by the quasispecies model. The operator capability of maintaining the distribution of the master sequence outperforms that offered by the point mutation.