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Deleterious mutations and the evolution of sex
1Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK. p.keightley@ed.ac.uk
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 13, 2000
Summary
Sexual reproduction may not be maintained by purging deleterious mutations. Studies show mutation rates are low in short-generation species, challenging the hypothesis that sex is essential for genome health.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sexual reproduction's evolutionary advantage is debated.
- A key hypothesis suggests sex purges deleterious mutations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if sexual reproduction is maintained by reducing the deleterious mutation load.
- To estimate genomic mutation rates across animal taxa.
Main Methods:
- Estimating genomic point mutation rates in protein-coding genes.
- Analyzing mutation rates in relation to generation time across diverse animal species.
Main Results:
- A positive linear relationship was found between mutation rate (U) and generation time.
- In species with short generation times, U is predicted to be below 1.
Conclusions:
- The hypothesis that sex is maintained to purge deleterious mutations is challenged.
- Low mutation rates in short-generation species suggest alternative explanations for the maintenance of sexual reproduction.
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