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Invasion and fixation of sex‐reversal genes
Author(s) -
VUILLEUMIER S.,
LANDE R.,
VAN ALPHEN J. J. M.,
SEEHAUSEN O.
Publication year - 2007
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.1420-9101.2007.01311.x
Subject(s) - biology , fixation (population genetics) , evolutionary biology , gene , genetics
We simulated a meta‐population with random dispersal among demes but local mating within demes to investigate conditions under which a dominant female‐determining gene W, with no individual selection advantage, can invade and become fixed in females, changing the population from male to female heterogamety. Starting with one mutant W in a single deme, the interaction of sex ratio selection and random genetic drift causes W to be fixed among females more often than a comparable neutral mutation with no influence on sex determination, even when YY males have slightly reduced viability. Meta‐population structure and interdeme selection can also favour the fixation of W. The reverse transition from female to male heterogamety can also occur with higher probability than for a comparable neutral mutation. These results help to explain the involvement of sex‐determining genes in the evolution of sex chromosomes and in sexual selection and speciation.