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How Can We Resolve Lewontin's Paradox?

Brian Charlesworth1, Jeffrey D Jensen2

  • 1Institute of Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Genome Biology and Evolution
|June 23, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Lewontin's Paradox explains why DNA sequence variation in populations is lower than expected. Factors like selection, hitchhiking, and especially population size changes are crucial for understanding genetic diversity.

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Area of Science:

  • Population Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Evolution

Background:

  • Observed DNA sequence variation in natural populations is often lower than predicted by census population sizes, a phenomenon known as Lewontin's Paradox.
  • Understanding the forces shaping genetic diversity is fundamental to evolutionary biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic, demographic, and selective forces contributing to the paradox of low DNA sequence variation.
  • To evaluate the sufficiency of previously emphasized factors and explore the role of other influences.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical discussion integrating genetic, demographic, and selective factors.
  • Analysis of population genetics principles and evolutionary forces.
Keywords:
coalescent timediversityeffective population sizegenetic drifthitchhikingmutation

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Main Results:

  • Direct selection and genetic hitchhiking are likely involved but may not fully explain the observed low variation.
  • Population size changes, particularly deviations from equilibrium diversity, are highlighted as a significant, underappreciated factor.

Conclusions:

  • A combination of factors, including but not limited to selection and hitchhiking, is necessary to resolve Lewontin's Paradox.
  • The dynamic nature of population size and its impact on achieving equilibrium diversity are critical for understanding current genetic variation levels.