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Related Concept Videos

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
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.
Gene Flow02:39

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
Genetic Drift03:33

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.
Hybrid Zones02:29

Hybrid Zones

Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis
10:08

Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis

Published on: August 12, 2019

Genetic hitchhiking under heterogeneous spatial selection pressures.

Kristan A Schneider1, Yuseob Kim

  • 1Department Fakultät Mathematik/Naturwissenschaften/Informatik, University of Applied Sciences Mittweida, Mittweida, Germany. kristan.schneider@hs-mittweida.de

Plos One
|May 3, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Heterogeneous selection pressures across habitats can bias standard population genetics models. New models accounting for local adaptation and gene flow are crucial for accurately studying adaptive evolution, especially for traits like drug resistance.

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Area of Science:

  • Population Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Adaptive evolution often occurs under heterogeneous selective pressures across local habitats.
  • Standard population-genetic models may be inaccurate when selection is non-uniform.
  • Examples include drug resistance in malaria and herbicide resistance in weeds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and analyze a deterministic model of population genetics with heterogeneous selection and local adaptation.
  • To investigate the impact of a beneficial mutation on linked neutral markers under these conditions (genetic hitchhiking).
  • To provide analytical solutions and approximations for allele frequency changes and heterozygosity.

Main Methods:

  • A deterministic model simulating a haploid population with heterogeneous selection across patches.
  • Random dispersal and mixed mating strategies (within-patch and random across-patch).
  • Analytical solutions for allele frequency change and expected heterozygosity at neutral loci.
  • Validation through stochastic simulations.

Main Results:

  • Standard population-genetic theory provides accurate predictions when selective environmental differences are moderate.
  • Substantial differences in selective environments significantly impact allele frequencies and heterozygosity.
  • The model accurately predicts genetic hitchhiking effects under heterogeneous selection.

Conclusions:

  • Existing population-genetic theories require adaptation for scenarios with substantial heterogeneity in selective pressures.
  • Accurate modeling is essential for understanding adaptive processes in organisms facing diverse environmental challenges, such as pesticide or drug resistance.
  • The developed model offers a more realistic framework for studying evolution in spatially structured populations.