Evolution of segregation distortion: potential for a high degree of polymorphism

Journal of Theoretical Biology
M van Boven, F J Weissing

Abstract

By means of a population genetical model, we study the evolution of segregation distortion. Most models of segregation distortion focus on a single distorter allele. In contrast, we consider the competition between a large number of distorters. Motivated by systems as the t complex of the house mouse or the Sd complex of Drosophila melanogaster, we assume that there is some "complementation" between distorter alleles, i.e. that the fitness of individuals heterozygous for two distorter alleles is higher than the fitness of homozygous individuals. In the presence of complementation, the most efficient distorter allele with the highest segregation ratio often does not outcompete less efficient distorters. In fact, our results show that coexistence of a large number of distorter alleles is more typical than the competitive exclusion of less efficient distorters by a single superior allele. We first consider the analytically tractable system where all distorters show the same amount of complementation. In this case, all distorters with a segregation ratio higher than a certain critical value will persist, resulting in a polymorphic population where the average segregation ratio is only slightly larger than 0.5. If the degree of comp...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 8, 2003·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Maria A C Groenenboom, Paulien Hogeweg
Dec 7, 2000·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·M van Boven, F J Weissing
Mar 7, 2002·Theoretical Population Biology·F J Weissing, M van Boven
Mar 7, 2002·Theoretical Population Biology·M van Boven, F J Weissing
Sep 1, 2013·Genetika·L D Safronova, V L Chubykin
Jun 17, 2000·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·M J Hatcher

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