replicator.replicate function: does it delete and recreate the node?

So I have this code

replicator.replicate(jcrSession, activateType, path);

and it replicates contents/node (primaryType = cq:Page) from author to publisher.

My question is in relation to an existing node:

Does this function deletes the existing publisher node and recreates it? Or does it just updates the existing node?

I've looked at the reference manual and there's not details there on what's happening.

Thanks!