Effects of Ploidy and Recombination on Evolution of Robustness
Author Information
Author(s): Kim Kerry J., Fernandes Vilaiwan M.
Primary Institution: University of Washington
Hypothesis
We hypothesize that sex and diploidy allow gene networks to evolve to function more robustly in the face of genetic and environmental variation.
Conclusion
Diploidy and sexual reproduction synergize to evolve greater robustness in genetic networks compared to haploidy and asexual reproduction.
Supporting Evidence
- Diploid sexual populations evolved the greatest robustness at generation 2,000 in almost all tests of robustness.
- Homozygous diploid networks were substantially more robust to perturbations than their haploid equivalents.
- Most mutations in the diploid network model are recessive, allowing for masking of deleterious effects.
Takeaway
This study shows that having two copies of each gene (diploidy) and reproducing sexually helps organisms better handle changes and mutations.
Methodology
The study used a computational model to simulate 2,000 generations of evolution in haploid and diploid populations under different reproductive strategies.
Limitations
The model does not account for new regulatory interactions or gene duplications that could alter network topology.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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