Open AccessFrequency‐dependent selection: a diversifying force in microbial populations
Author(s) -
Charlebois Daniel A,
Balázsi Gábor
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
molecular systems biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.523
H-Index - 148
ISSN - 1744-4292
DOI - 10.15252/msb.20167133
Subject(s) - biology , frequency dependent selection , selection (genetic algorithm) , phenotype , evolutionary biology , diversity (politics) , population , ecology , genetics , gene , demography , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , anthropology
The benefits of “bet‐hedging” strategies have been assumed to be the main cause of phenotypic diversity in biological populations. However, in their recent work, Healey et al ([Healey D, 2016]) provide experimental support for negative frequency‐dependent selection ( NFDS ) as an alternative driving force of diversity. NFDS favors rare phenotypes over common ones, resulting in an evolutionarily stable mixture of phenotypes that is not necessarily optimal for population growth.