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A Mathematical Theory of Natural Selection. Part VIII. Metastable Populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2008

J. B. S. Haldane
Affiliation:
Trinity College

Extract

Almost every species is, to a first approximation, in genetic equilibrium; that is to say no very drastic changes are occurring rapidly in its composition. It is a necessary condition for equilibrium that all new genes which arise at all frequently by mutation should be disadvantageous, otherwise they will spread through the population. Now each of two or more genes may be disadvantageous, but all together may be advantageous. An example of such balance has been given by Gonsalez(1). He found that, in purple-eyed Drosophila melanogaster, arc wing or axillary speck (each due to a recessive gene) shortened life, but the two together lengthened it.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge Philosophical Society 1931

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References

REFERENCES

(1)Gonsalez, B. M., Am. Nat., 57, p. 289 (1923).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(2)Fisher, R. A., The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection, p. 102 (1930).Google Scholar
(3)Haldane, J. B. S., Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc., 23, p. 838 (1927).CrossRefGoogle Scholar