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The population dynamics of maternal-effect selfish genes
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637.
Genetics
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Medea genetic factors in flour beetles spread rapidly, especially with family-level regulation. Deleterious effects can lead to stable genetic variations, influencing population dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Population genetics
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Medea (maternal-effect dominant embryonic arrest) is a selfish-gene chromosomal factor.
- This factor has been recently discovered in flour beetles (Tribolium genus).
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the expected population dynamics of the Medea factor.
- To analyze the factors influencing its spread and stability.
Main Methods:
- Population genetic methods were employed.
- Mathematical modeling of population dynamics was used.
Main Results:
- Medea factors spread to fixation with maternal-effect lethality > 0, rate proportional to maternal-effect strength.
- Spread is slow (p2) when rare but accelerates (p) with density regulation.
- Deleterious fecundity effects can create stable interior polymorphisms.
Conclusions:
- Medea factor dynamics are strongly influenced by maternal lethality and fecundity effects.
- Density regulation can significantly accelerate Medea factor spread.
- The degree of dominance of fecundity effects impacts equilibrium and fixation probabilities.