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Evolution of assortative mating in a population expressing dominance
Kristan A Schneider1, Stephan Peischl
1Department of Mathematics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. kristan.schneider@univie.ac.at
Plos One
|April 13, 2011
Summary
Dominance influences the evolution of assortative mating, impacting mate choice based on traits. The study reveals dominance can hinder or promote mating assortment depending on modifier effect sizes.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Population Genetics
- Quantitative Genetics
Background:
- Assortative mating, where individuals choose mates with similar traits, is a key evolutionary process.
- The influence of genetic dominance on the evolution of assortative mating remains incompletely understood.
- Intraspecific competition and various selection pressures shape quantitative traits and mating behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how genetic dominance affects the evolution of assortative mating.
- To analyze the interplay between dominance, selection, and mating system evolution.
- To explore the conditions under which dominance promotes or hinders assortative mating.
Main Methods:
- Population-genetic analysis of a two-locus, two-allele model.
- Modeling a quantitative trait under stabilizing and frequency/density-dependent selection.
- Analytical derivations for weak selection/assortment and extensive numerical simulations for global dynamics.
Main Results:
- Dominance's effect on assortative mating evolution is context-dependent.
- Small modifier effects: dominance hinders assortative mating.
- Large modifier effects: dominance promotes assortative mating.
Conclusions:
- Dominance plays a complex role in the evolution of assortative mating.
- Findings contrast with previous adaptive dynamics models.
- The magnitude of genetic effects is crucial for understanding mating system evolution.
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