MBE Advance Access originally published online on August 16, 2007
Molecular Biology and Evolution 2007 24(10):2334-2343; doi:10.1093/molbev/msm167
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Research Articles |
Deleterious Mutations Can Surf to High Densities on the Wave Front of an Expanding Population
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* Zoology Building, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ Scotland, UK
Natural Environment Research Council Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Hill of Brathens, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 4BW, UK
Department of Ecological Modelling, UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstraße, 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
Forest Ecology, Department of Environmental Sciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
|| Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
¶ Vegetationsökologie & Naturschutz, Universität Potsdam, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
# Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5YW, UK
E-mail: justin.travis{at}abdn.ac.uk.
Accepted for publication July 31, 2007.
There is an increasing recognition that evolutionary processes play a key role in determining the dynamics of range expansion. Recent work demonstrates that neutral mutations arising near the edge of a range expansion sometimes surf on the expanding front leading them rather than that leads to reach much greater spatial distribution and frequency than expected in stationary populations. Here, we extend this work and examine the surfing behavior of nonneutral mutations. Using an individual-based coupled-map lattice model, we confirm that, regardless of its fitness effects, the probability of survival of a new mutation depends strongly upon where it arises in relation to the expanding wave front. We demonstrate that the surfing effect can lead to deleterious mutations reaching high densities at an expanding front, even when they have substantial negative effects on fitness. Additionally, we highlight that this surfing phenomenon can occur for mutations that impact reproductive rate (i.e., number of offspring produced) as well as mutations that modify juvenile competitive ability. We suggest that these effects are likely to have important consequences for rates of spread and the evolution of spatially expanding populations.
Key Words: evolution • invasion • range shifting • evolvability • epidemic • climate change
Lisa Matisoo-Smith, Associate Editor
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  O. J. Burton and J. M. J. Travis The Frequency of Fitness Peak Shifts Is Increased at Expanding Range Margins Due to Mutation Surfing Genetics, June 1, 2008; 179(2): 941 - 950. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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