Random and non-random mating populations: Evolutionary dynamics in meiotic drive.

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Population Genetics
• Game Theory

Background:

• Meiotic drive can disrupt Mendelian inheritance ratios.
• Understanding the evolutionary stability of genetic polymorphisms is crucial.
• Sex-specific selection pressures can influence allele frequencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze a one-locus continuous selection model of sex-specific meiotic drive.
• To investigate the role of viability selection in maintaining polymorphic equilibria.
• To build a bridge between population genetics and evolutionary game theory.

Main Methods:

• Utilized game theoretic tools and replicator dynamics.
• Applied the Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection.
• Incorporated non-random mating within a group selection framework.

Main Results:

• Hardy-Weinberg frequencies are maintained in replicator dynamics.
• Faster evolution occurs at maximized variance fitness.
• Mixed Evolutionarily Stable Strategy (ESS) exists in asymmetric games.
• Evolution tends towards 1:1 sex and allele ratios.
• The number of polymorphic equilibria depends on population structure.

Conclusions:

• Viability selection plays a key role in the stability of polymorphic equilibria.
• The model integrates population structure and social dynamics into game theory.
• Sex-specific meiotic drive dynamics are influenced by heterozygote viability and segregation ratios.