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Related Concept Videos

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
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Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

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Speciation can proceed at markedly different rates, and evolutionary biologists commonly describe these differences through the models of gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Both patterns explain how new species arise, but they differ in the tempo and continuity of evolutionary change. In both cases, evolutionary change arises from heritable variation within populations, with natural selection often shaping traits that improve survival and reproduction under specific environmental conditions.
Frequency-dependent Selection01:21

Frequency-dependent Selection

When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.Positive Frequency-Dependent SelectionIn positive...
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

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Published on: February 3, 2023

Rate of sequence divergence under constant selection.

Alexey S Kondrashov1, Inna S Povolotskaya, Dmitry N Ivankov

  • 1Bioinformatics and Genomics Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation, C/Dr Aiguader 88, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park Building, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

Biology Direct
|January 23, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Constant selection strongly limits sequence divergence levels but minimally affects the rate of divergence. Even with selection, divergence approaches a substantial fraction of the maximum possible divergence.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Population genetics
  • Molecular evolution

Background:

  • Sequence divergence quantifies evolutionary distance between related genetic sequences.
  • Negative selection typically slows down evolutionary changes by removing deleterious mutations.
  • The precise effects of constant selection on divergence rate and level were not well-understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of constant negative selection on the rate (r) and asymptotic level (E) of sequence divergence.
  • To determine if selection can substantially alter the dynamics of sequence evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Mathematical modeling of sequence evolution under constant selection.
  • Analysis of parameters governing divergence: asymptotic level (E) and rate (r).

Main Results:

  • Strong selection can drastically reduce the asymptotic divergence level (E) and increase the rate (r).
  • However, under conditions with multiple alleles and neutral mutation rates, selection's effect on the rate (r) is less pronounced.
  • The lowest rate reduction observed was two-fold compared to neutral evolution.

Conclusions:

  • Constant selection significantly constrains the maximum level of sequence divergence.
  • Selection has a limited capacity to substantially decrease the rate at which divergence is approached.
  • Even under selection, sequence divergence can reach at least half of the asymptotic level.