Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

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.

Natural Selection and Mating Preferences

Natural Selection and Mating Preferences

The principle of natural selection posits that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This principle is closely intertwined with mating preferences, a key aspect of sexual selection, which evolutionary psychologists believe is driven by instincts to propagate one's genes. Such instincts significantly influence mating behaviors and preferences between genders.
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing, inherently...

Frequency-dependent Selection

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...

Types of Selection

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...

Mate Choice

Mate Choice

Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.

Gene Flow

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Sequencing of mitochondrial genome of Neolamarckia macrophylla uncovers divergent structure in genus Neolamarckia.

BMC genomics·2025

Same author

Assessing Evolutionary Divergence in Genome-Wide MADS-Box Genes and Expression Profiles Between <i>Toona ciliata</i> and <i>Toona sinensis</i>.

Ecology and evolution·2025

Same author

Structural and phylogenetic comparisons of the complete mitochondrial genomes among taxa in genus Toona.

Scientific reports·2025

Same author

Selfing Shapes Fixation of a Mutant Allele Under Flux Equilibrium.

Genome biology and evolution·2024

Same author

Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of the <i>Toona ciliata</i> (Meliaceae) Complex Assayed with Chloroplast DNA Markers.

Genes·2024

Same author

A Community-Based Framework Integrates Interspecific Interactions into Forest Genetic Conservation.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland)·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

Mating system and the critical migration rate for swamping selection.

¹Department of Renewable Resources, 751 General Service Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1, Canada.

Genetics Research

|May 11, 2011

Summary

This study examines gene flow in plants, finding that seed and pollen movement critically influence genetic swamping. Mating systems and selection affect this balance, impacting cytonuclear gene concordance.

More Related Videos

Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern

Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern

Published on: March 8, 2020

Using the Fluorescent Dye, Rhodamine B, to Study Mating Competitiveness in Male Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

Using the Fluorescent Dye, Rhodamine B, to Study Mating Competitiveness in Male Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

Published on: May 7, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern

Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern

Published on: March 8, 2020

Using the Fluorescent Dye, Rhodamine B, to Study Mating Competitiveness in Male Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

Using the Fluorescent Dye, Rhodamine B, to Study Mating Competitiveness in Male Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

Published on: May 7, 2021

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Population Genetics
Plant Sciences

Background:

Previous research established critical migration rates for nuclear gene swamping.
Cytonuclear interactions and mixed mating systems in plants require specific investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze critical migration rates in the cytonuclear system of hermaphrodite plants with mixed mating.
To investigate the influence of selection and mating systems on gene flow and genetic swamping.

Main Methods:

Applied methodologies from nuclear gene swamping studies to cytonuclear systems.
Considered heterozygote disadvantage and directional selection for nuclear genes, and directional selection for organelle genes.
Analyzed effects of random mating versus mixed mating systems, including partial selfing.

Main Results:

Under random mating, nuclear and paternal organelle gene migration rates are re-parameterized for plants, showing a complementary relationship between seed and pollen flow.
Mixed mating systems alter the critical migration rates due to selection and cytonuclear linkage disequilibrium, resulting in a non-complementary relationship between seed and pollen flow.
Partial selfing influences maternal organelle gene flow, with lower critical rates for highly selfing species; cytonuclear gene concordance/discordance is possible.

Conclusions:

Seed and pollen flow contributions to genetic swamping vary significantly with plant mating systems.
Cytonuclear gene interactions and genetic swamping are complex, influenced by selection, inbreeding, and linkage disequilibrium.
The study predicts diverse patterns of genetic swamping in plants based on their mating strategies and gene flow dynamics.