Rapid parasite adaptation drives selection for high recombination rates.

Abstract excerpt

The Red Queen hypothesis proposes that sex is maintained through selection pressure imposed by coevolving parasites: susceptible hosts are able to escape parasite pressure by recombining their genome to create resistant offspring. However, previous theoretical studies have shown that the Red Queen typically selects against sex unless selection is strong, arguing that high rates of recombination cannot evolve when...

Topics

Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.

• Share to Adaptation, Biological
• Share to Behavior, Animal