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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Mutation accumulation and the formation of range limits.

Roslyn C Henry¹, Kamil A Bartoń², Justin M J Travis²

¹Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK r01rch12@abdn.ac.uk.

Biology Letters

|January 9, 2015

Summary

Mutation accumulation significantly shrinks species ranges, particularly with limited dispersal and low growth rates. This highlights the critical role of deleterious mutations in shaping species distributions.

Keywords:

dispersal environmental gradients mutation load range formation

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Ecological genetics

Background:

Species distribution and range dynamics are crucial for ecological and evolutionary understanding.
The impact of mutation accumulation on range formation has been largely overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the influence of mutation accumulation on the spatial extent of species ranges.
To identify factors modulating the effect of mutation load on range dynamics.

Main Methods:

Theoretical modeling of population dynamics across environmental gradients.
Simulation of mutation accumulation under varying dispersal rates, growth rates, and mutation effects.

Main Results:

Mutation accumulation was found to severely reduce the extent of species ranges.
This reduction was most pronounced under conditions of limited dispersal, low growth rates, and intermediate deleterious mutation effects.
Dispersal showed a dual role, potentially reducing mutation load but increasing migration load in marginal populations.

Conclusions:

Deleterious mutations play a significant role in limiting species range formation.
Future research should focus on mutation load dynamics in range formation, considering the complex effects of dispersal.