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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.

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...

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...

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).

Mutations in Microorganisms

Mutations in Microorganisms

Mutations are heritable changes in an organism’s genome involving alterations in the base sequence of DNA or RNA. These changes can influence cellular processes and phenotypic traits, potentially transforming the unaltered wild type into a mutant form. Such changes, termed forward mutations, are pivotal in shaping the genetic diversity of organisms.RNA viruses exhibit the highest mutation rates due to the absence of robust proofreading mechanisms during genome replication. In contrast,...

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

Published on: November 28, 2019

Emergent frequency-dependent selection predicts mutation outcomes in complex ecological communities.

Shing Yan Li, Zhijie Feng, Akshit Goyal

|April 27, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ecological interactions significantly impact evolution in diverse communities. New models show these feedbacks suppress beneficial mutations by prolonging parent-mutant coexistence, offering predictive power for eco-evolutionary dynamics.

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Last Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

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Published on: November 28, 2019

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Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli

Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli

Published on: March 16, 2011

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Community Ecology
Population Genetics

Background:

Classical population genetics models often overlook complex ecological interactions in species-rich communities.
Understanding how ecological feedbacks influence evolutionary trajectories is crucial for predicting mutation outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

To integrate community ecology principles into population genetics frameworks.
To develop a model predicting mutation fixation probability in diverse ecosystems.
To investigate the impact of ecological interactions on evolutionary dynamics.

Main Methods:

Dynamical mean-field theory was employed to merge community ecology with population genetics.
An analytic expression for fixation probability was derived, extending existing formulas.
Frequency-dependent selection resulting from ecological feedbacks was characterized.

Main Results:

Ecological interactions induce emergent frequency-dependent selection, quantified by ecological feedback strength.
The derived fixation probability formula generalizes classical models to diverse communities.
Beneficial mutation fixation is significantly suppressed due to prolonged parent-mutant lineage coexistence.

Conclusions:

A novel framework integrating ecological interactions into population genetics was established.
Eco-evolutionary predictions are possible even with complex community feedbacks using simplified models.
The study highlights the critical role of ecological feedbacks in shaping evolutionary outcomes.