Causes of natural variation in fitness: evidence from studies of Drosophila populations.

ABSTRACT: DNA sequencing has revealed high levels of variability within most species. Statistical methods based on population genetics theory have been applied to the resulting data and suggest that most mutations affecting functionally important sequences are deleterious but subject to very weak selection. Quantitative genetic studies have provided information on the extent of genetic variation within populations in traits related to fitness and the rate at which variability in these traits arises by mutation. This paper attempts to combine the available information from applications of the two approaches to populations of the fruitfly Drosophila in order to estimate some important parameters of genetic variation, using a simple population genetics model of mutational effects on fitness components.

SUBMITTER: Charlesworth B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4330759 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature