Intragenomic Conflict over Dispersal.

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Genetics
• Behavioral ecology

Background:

• Intragenomic conflict occurs when genes from different parents have conflicting interests.
• Differential dispersal patterns can create unequal relatedness between social partners via mothers versus fathers.
• Previous research focused on dispersal's impact on intragenomic conflict, not vice-versa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how intragenomic conflict influences the evolution of dispersal.
• To investigate the potential for conflict between maternal and paternal genes over dispersal strategies.
• To extend existing models of dispersal evolution to incorporate intragenomic conflict.

Main Methods:

• Extension of a classic model for the evolution of dispersal.
• Mathematical modeling to analyze kin selection and intragenomic conflict.
• Simulation of scenarios with differential relatedness due to sex-biased dispersal.

Main Results:

• Intragenomic conflict over dispersal is extensive and plausible.
• Maternal and paternal genes can favor different dispersal rates.
• Parent-of-origin-specific gene expression is predicted for dispersal traits.

Conclusions:

• Intragenomic conflict is a significant factor in the evolution of dispersal.
• Dispersal evolution may be shaped by conflicts between maternal and paternal genes.
• Parent-of-origin effects on dispersal genes could be a target for future research.