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Evolutionary robustness of killer meiotic drives
Philip G Madgwick1, Jason B Wolf1
1Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry University of Bath Bath UK.
Evolution Letters
|October 8, 2021
Summary
Meiotic drivers, selfish genetic elements, can persist for millions of years by killing gametes. This study reveals three drive mechanisms and identifies that drivers operating between meiosis I and II are most evolutionarily robust.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Meiotic drivers are selfish genetic elements that manipulate meiosis for their own transmission.
- Killer meiotic drivers eliminate gametes lacking the driver, promoting rapid spread but risking population decline.
- Ancient killer meiotic drivers challenge the expectation of evolutionary transience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary robustness of killer meiotic drivers.
- To explore diverse mechanisms of meiotic drive and associated suppression strategies.
- To understand the persistence of ancient meiotic drivers despite their potentially deleterious effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a framework analyzing meiotic stages and cell interactions.
- Modeled different genotypic interactions during meiosis.
- Identified distinct drive mechanisms and their selective pressures on suppressors.
Main Results:
- Identified three genotypically distinct killer meiotic drive mechanisms.
- Demonstrated that drivers operating between meiosis I and II exhibit greater evolutionary robustness.
- Linked specific drive mechanisms to conditions favoring transient versus ancient drivers.
Conclusions:
- Meiotic drive evolution is shaped by the specific stage of meiosis at which drive occurs.
- Drivers operating post-meiosis I show enhanced evolutionary stability.
- The identified mechanisms provide testable predictions for driver persistence and transience.
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