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Selection for recombination in a polygenic model – the mechanism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2009

J. Maynard Smith
J. Maynard Smith
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG
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Summary

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A polygenic model has been simulated in order to reveal the process whereby selection in an infinite population can lead to an increase in the frequency of alleles causing higher rates of recombination (CH alleles). Directional selection generates repulsion linkage disequilibrium (+ − + −), which is less strong in CH gametes (gametes carrying CH alleles). In consequence, CH gametes contribute greater phenotypic variability, and therefore respond more to directional selection: that is, they accumulate more selectively favoured alleles. CH alleles then increase in frequency by hitch-hiking. In contrast, normalizing selection, or frequent changes in the direction of selection, favour alleles for a low recombination rate.

Type
Research Article
Information
Genetics Research , Volume 51 , Issue 1 , February 1988 , pp. 59 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

References

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