The Effects of GC-Biased Gene Conversion on Patterns of Genetic Diversity among and across Butterfly Genomes.

ABSTRACT: Recombination reshuffles the alleles of a population through crossover and gene conversion. These mechanisms have considerable consequences on the evolution and maintenance of genetic diversity. Crossover, for example, can increase genetic diversity by breaking the linkage between selected and nearby neutral variants. Bias in favor of G or C alleles during gene conversion may instead promote the fixation of one allele over the other, thus decreasing diversity. Mutation bias from G or C to A and T opposes GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC). Less recognized is that these two processes may-when balanced-promote genetic diversity. Here, we investigate how gBGC and mutation bias shape genetic diversity patterns in wood white butterflies (Leptidea sp.). This constitutes the first in-depth investig

SUBMITTER: Boman J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8175052 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature