Molecular biology features numerous complexes of proteins that coordinate in an interlocking fashion to fulfill different functions. Adaptive evolution explains some of this complexity, but needn't be the default when neutral explanations suffice. A new artificial life model ``organism,'' the Quandary Den, is introduced to explore different neutral evolution scenarios where complexity increases in the absence of greater informational needs. Two interlocking complexity scenarios emerge. Subfunctionalization leads to functionality diffusing through the complex. Masking allows intracomplex interference to accumulate genetically, requiring that it be blocked at the level of expression.

翻译：《困惑巢穴》中的中性演化互锁复杂性 分子生物学中存在着大量以互锁方式协作、实现不同功能的蛋白质复合体。适应性演化虽能解释部分复杂性，但当中性解释足以说明时，适应性并非必然的默认机制。本文引入了一种新型人工生命模型"有机体"——困惑巢穴，用以探索在没有更大信息需求的情况下复杂性增加的不同中性演化场景。研究揭示了两种互锁复杂性模式：亚功能化导致功能在复合体内扩散；掩蔽效应使得复合体内干扰通过遗传积累，从而需要在表达层面加以阻断。