Genomic mutation rates that neutralize adaptive evolution and natural selection.

Abstract excerpt

When mutation rates are low, natural selection remains effective, and increasing the mutation rate can give rise to an increase in adaptation rate. When mutation rates are high to begin with, however, increasing the mutation rate may have a detrimental effect because of the overwhelming presence of deleterious mutations. Indeed, if mutation rates are high enough: (i) adaptive evolution may be neutralized,...

Topics

• Evolution, Molecular
• Gene-Environment Interaction
• Genome
• Models, Genetic
• Mutation
• Selection, Genetic