Variation in Mitochondrial DNA Effective Population Size
Author Information
Author(s): Piganeau Gwenael, Eyre-Walker Adam, Gemmell Neil John
Primary Institution: UPMC Univ Paris 06
Hypothesis
Does the effective population size of mitochondrial DNA vary across different animal species?
Conclusion
The study concludes that there is significant variation in the effective population size of mitochondrial DNA across animal species.
Supporting Evidence
- The study shows a correlation between mitochondrial and nuclear diversity across various animal groups.
- Effective population size of mitochondrial DNA varies by at least an order of magnitude in selected mammalian groups.
- Negative correlation between the effectiveness of selection on non-synonymous mutations and levels of mitochondrial diversity was observed.
Takeaway
This study found that the number of mitochondria in animals can change a lot, even if the total number of animals is similar.
Methodology
The study analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequences from 1712 species to assess correlations between mitochondrial and nuclear diversity.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to phylogenetic non-independence in the dataset.
Limitations
The estimates of effective population size are approximate and may not reflect wild relatives due to the inclusion of domesticated species.
Participant Demographics
The study included a diverse range of animal species, including mammals, fish, amphibians, and more.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0024
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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