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Updated: Sep 2, 2025
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Recombineering Homologous Recombination Constructs in Drosophila
Published on: July 13, 2013
19.4K
The evolution of recombination in self-fertilizing organisms
Roman Stetsenko1,2, Denis Roze1,2
1CNRS, IRL 3614 Evolutionary Biology and Ecology of Algae, 29688 Roscoff, France.
Genetics
|August 5, 2022
Summary
Selfing, or self-fertilization, generally increases selection for genetic recombination by enhancing interference among mutations. This effect is particularly pronounced under weak selection against deleterious alleles and high selfing rates.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Population genetics
- Genetics of reproduction
Background:
- Recombination rates in flowering plants are influenced by mating systems, with higher frequencies observed in self-fertilizing species.
- Previous models on inbreeding and selection for recombination were limited to weak selfing and loosely linked loci, often ignoring genetic interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive general expressions for the stochastic and deterministic components of selection on recombination rates.
- To investigate the impact of arbitrary selfing rates on selection for recombination, considering genetic interference.
Main Methods:
- Developed analytical models to quantify selection components acting on genetic map length.
- Incorporated arbitrary selfing rates and the Hill-Robertson effect (genetic interference).
- Validated analytical predictions using individual-based simulations.
Main Results:
- Selfing generally enhances selection for recombination due to interference, especially with weak selection against deleterious alleles.
- Interference is a primary driver of recombination selection under tight linkage or high selfing.
- Deterministic effects favor recombination with negative epistasis and high recombination rates, but select against it otherwise.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive model for selection on recombination under varying selfing rates.
- Selfing significantly influences the evolutionary forces shaping recombination, primarily through genetic interference.
- Analytical predictions align well with simulation results, offering insights into recombination evolution in natural populations.
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