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Uneven segregation of sporophytic self‐incompatibility alleles in Arabidopsis lyrata
Author(s) -
Bechsgaard J.,
Bataillon T.,
Schierup M. H.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2004.00699.x
Subject(s) - biology , allele , genetics , locus (genetics) , natural selection , balancing selection , selection (genetic algorithm) , population , evolutionary biology , population genetics , allele frequency , gene , demography , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science
Self‐incompatibility in Arabidopsis lyrata is sporophytically controlled by the multi‐allelic S‐locus. Self‐incompatibility alleles (S‐alleles) are under strong negative frequency dependent selection because pollen carrying common S‐alleles have fewer mating opportunities. Population genetics theory predicts that deleterious alleles can accumulate if linked to the S‐locus. This was tested by studying segregation of S‐alleles in 11 large full sib families in A. lyrata . Significant segregation distortion leading to an up to fourfold difference in transmission rates was found in six families. Differences in transmission rates were not significantly different in reciprocal crosses and the distortions observed were compatible with selection acting at the gametic stage alone. The S‐allele with the largest segregation advantage is also the most recessive, and is very common in natural populations concordant with its apparent segregation advantage. These results imply that frequencies of S‐alleles in populations of A. lyrata cannot be predicted based on simple models of frequency‐dependent selection alone.