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On the origin of meiotic reproduction: a genetic modifier model.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Uyenoyama, MK; Bengtsson, BO
Published in: Genetics
December 1989

We study the conditions under which a rare allele that modifies the relative rates of meiotic reproduction and apomixis increases in a population in which meiotic reproduction entails selfing as well as random outcrossing. A distinct locus, at which mutation maintains alleles that are lethal in homozygous form, determines viability. We find that low viability of carriers of the lethal alleles, high rates of selfing, dominance of the introduced modifier allele, and lower rates of recombination promote the evolution of meiosis. Meiotic reproduction can evolve even in the absence of linkage between the modifier and the viability locus. The adaptive value of meiotic reproduction depends on the relative viabilities of offspring derived by meiosis and by apomixis, and on associations between the modifier and the viability locus. Meiotic reproduction, particularly under selfing, generates more diverse offspring, including those with very high and very low viability. Elimination of offspring with low viability generates positive associations between enhancers of meiotic reproduction and high viability. In addition, partial selfing generates positive associations in heterozygosity (identity disequilibrium) between the modifier and the viability locus, even in the absence of linkage. The two kinds of associations together can compensate for initial reductions in mean offspring viability under meiotic reproduction.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Genetics

DOI

EISSN

1943-2631

ISSN

0016-6731

Publication Date

December 1989

Volume

123

Issue

4

Start / End Page

873 / 885

Related Subject Headings

  • Sex
  • Selection, Genetic
  • Mutation
  • Meiosis
  • Genetics, Population
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Genes, Dominant
  • Gene Frequency
  • Developmental Biology
  • Biological Evolution
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Uyenoyama, M. K., & Bengtsson, B. O. (1989). On the origin of meiotic reproduction: a genetic modifier model. Genetics, 123(4), 873–885. https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/123.4.873
Uyenoyama, M. K., and B. O. Bengtsson. “On the origin of meiotic reproduction: a genetic modifier model.Genetics 123, no. 4 (December 1989): 873–85. https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/123.4.873.
Uyenoyama MK, Bengtsson BO. On the origin of meiotic reproduction: a genetic modifier model. Genetics. 1989 Dec;123(4):873–85.
Uyenoyama, M. K., and B. O. Bengtsson. “On the origin of meiotic reproduction: a genetic modifier model.Genetics, vol. 123, no. 4, Dec. 1989, pp. 873–85. Epmc, doi:10.1093/genetics/123.4.873.
Uyenoyama MK, Bengtsson BO. On the origin of meiotic reproduction: a genetic modifier model. Genetics. 1989 Dec;123(4):873–885.

Published In

Genetics

DOI

EISSN

1943-2631

ISSN

0016-6731

Publication Date

December 1989

Volume

123

Issue

4

Start / End Page

873 / 885

Related Subject Headings

  • Sex
  • Selection, Genetic
  • Mutation
  • Meiosis
  • Genetics, Population
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Genes, Dominant
  • Gene Frequency
  • Developmental Biology
  • Biological Evolution