Age- and sex-distribution of the mutation load |
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Authors: | Thomas F Hansen Donald K Price |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Botany, NTNU, 7034 Trondheim, Norway (E-mail |
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Abstract: | We investigate the age and sex distribution of genetic fitness under mutation–selection balance by means of simple one-locus
two-allele models. We find that the extent of age and sex variation in the mutation load is very dependent on the average
effect of new mutations. If the average heterozygote selective effect of new mutations is large, then age and sex differences
may constitute a significant fraction of the total load, and be significant as compared to standing genetic variation. Whether
the mutation load will increase or decrease with age depends on the age- and sex-specific effects of the new mutations, and
on the rate of accumulation of mutations in the germ line as individuals age. We argue that the load will most likely increase
with age in animals with continuous germ-cell division throughout life, and that this will occur even when mutations have
unconditionally deleterious effects. We show that a male-biased mutation rate is likely to result in both a male-biased mutation
load and a load that increases with male age.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | age deleterious mutations germ-line mutation Lek paradox mutation load mutation– selection balance |
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