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Frequency-dependent Selection

Frequency-dependent Selection

When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.

Gene Flow

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.

Types of Selection

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...

Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores

Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores

Plants present a rich source of nutrients for many organisms, making it a target for herbivores and infectious agents. Plants, though lacking a proper immune system, have developed an array of constitutive and inducible defenses to fend off these attacks.

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions

Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions

Published on: September 30, 2016

Negative Frequency-Dependent Selection Promotes Strain Structure in a Plant Pathogen.

Shuanger Li^1,2, Eric Laderman¹, Hanna Märkle^1,3

¹Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York, USA.

Ecology Letters

|January 4, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Negative frequency-dependent selection (NFDS) drives Pseudomonas syringae strain diversity and modularity. Eco-evolutionary dynamics maintain pathogen coexistence by adapting virulence to dominant hosts.

Keywords:

Pseudomonas syringae NLRs R‐genes microbial effectors modularity in strain similarity network plant microbe coevolution strain structure

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Area of Science:

Microbial ecology
Evolutionary biology
Genomics

Background:

Microbial virulence factors and host defense proteins interact, potentially creating negative frequency-dependent selection (NFDS).
High strain diversity in Pseudomonas syringae has been observed, but the underlying population structure is not fully understood.
Previous studies noted strain diversity but lacked explanations for observed modular structures.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of NFDS in maintaining Pseudomonas syringae strain diversity and structure.
To explore the relationship between effector repertoires, host interactions, and pathogen evolution.
To model the eco-evolutionary dynamics shaping pathogen populations.

Main Methods:

Characterization of 76 Midwestern US and 1104 global Pseudomonas syringae strains.
Analysis of strain diversity, modular structure, and phylogenetic relationships.
Development and application of a stochastic computational model for effector repertoires.

Main Results:

Confirmed high strain diversity in Pseudomonas syringae.
Revealed that strains are structured into similarity modules, not explained by host, location, or genetic linkage alone.
Demonstrated that NFDS generates and maintains modular strain structure, even with genetic exchange.

Conclusions:

NFDS is crucial for generating and maintaining modularity in Pseudomonas syringae populations.
Modular structure arises from pathogen groups adapted to dominant hosts.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics facilitate strain coexistence through niche-specific adaptations.