Evolutionary genetics: Sexually selected mutation rates

Cotton, Samuel; Pomiankowski, Andrew

doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800943

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Mutator alleles can also be favored by strong selection for phenotypic variation, such as that imposed by immunological attack against pathogens, together with stable linkage to beneficial mutations, provided by haploidy in microorganisms. But the special conditions required for these examples highlight two assumptions that have framed discussion of mutation-rate evolution for most of the past century (for example, Bataillon, 2000;Bell, 2005;Cotton and Pomiankowski, 2007). First, although close linkage may allow a mutator to hitchhike on selection for a beneficial allele, recombination, at least in sexually reproducing populations, will eventually separate the two.…”

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confidence: 99%

Mutability and evolvability: Indirect selection for mutability

King¹,

Kashi

2007

Heredity

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confidence: 99%

Mutability and evolvability: Indirect selection for mutability

King¹,

Kashi

2007

Heredity

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“…However, similar patterns may arise in species with sexual ornaments. Although an evolutionary relationship between ornaments and overall mutation rates has been proposed before (Petrie & Roberts, 2006; but see Cotton & Pomiankowski, 2007), I suggest that condition dependence of DNA repair will lead to an association between ornaments and the degree of male bias in mutation rate. Ornaments are costly (Kotiaho, 2001) and hence are likely to reduce condition in males relative to females, which lack such costly structures ⁄ displays.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Condition‐dependent mutation rates and sexual selection

Cotton

2009

J of Evolutionary Biology

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‘Good genes’ models of sexual selection show that females can gain indirect benefits for their offspring if male ornaments are condition‐dependent signals of genetic quality. Recurrent deleterious mutation is viewed as a major contributor to variance in genetic quality, and previous theoretical treatments of ‘good genes’ processes have assumed that the influx of new mutations is constant. I propose that this assumption is too simplistic, and that mutation rates vary in ways that are important for sexual selection. Recent data have shown that individuals in poor condition can have higher mutation rates, and I argue that if both male sexual ornaments and mutation rates are condition‐dependent, then females can use male ornamentation to evaluate their mate’s mutation rate. As most mutations are deleterious, females benefit from choosing well‐ornamented mates, as they are less likely to contribute germline‐derived mutations to offspring. I discuss some of the evolutionary ramifications of condition‐dependent mutation rates and sexual selection.

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