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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
04:52
Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
Published on: February 3, 2023
Clonal erosion and genetic drift in cyclical parthenogens--the interplay between neutral and selective processes
1Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. joost.vanoverbeke@bio.kuleuven.be
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|March 30, 2010
Summary
Selection during clonal reproduction in Daphnia causes significant clonal erosion, reducing genetic diversity and increasing population differentiation. This impacts neutral genetic markers, explaining patterns in cyclical parthenogens.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Population genetics
- Ecological modeling
Background:
- Alternating clonal and sexual reproduction influences genetic variation.
- Understanding the impact of clonal selection on genetic structure is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how clonal erosion affects genetic structure using neutral markers.
- To assess the impact of selection during the clonal phase in Daphnia.
Main Methods:
- A physiologically structured life history model of Daphnia was employed.
- Quantitative genetic variation was incorporated for 11 traits.
- Simulations were run for 1000 days to observe clonal diversity (CD).
Main Results:
- Strong clonal erosion reduced initial high CD (10^8 clones) to 1-5 clones.
- Clonal selection led to reduced genetic diversity and excess heterozygotes.
- Significant genetic differentiation was observed between populations using neutral markers.
Conclusions:
- Clonal selection significantly impacts genetic structure, especially in smaller habitats.
- This process can explain high neutral genetic differentiation in cyclical parthenogens.
- The interplay between clonal and sexual reproduction is key to population genetic dynamics.
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