Do clones degenerate over time? Explaining the genetic variability of asexuals through population genetic models

0368204 - ÚŽFG 2012 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Janko, Karel - Drozd, P. - Eisner, Jan
Do clones degenerate over time? Explaining the genetic variability of asexuals through population genetic models.
Biology Direct. Roč. 6, č. 17 (2011), s. 1-25. E-ISSN 1745-6150
R&D Projects: GA ČR GP206/05/P586; GA ČR GA206/09/1298
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50450515; CEZ:AV0Z50070508
Keywords : MITOCHONDRIAL-DNA VARIATION * MULLERS RATCHET * LOACHES COBITIS
Subject RIV: EB - Genetics ; Molecular Biology
Impact factor: 4.017, year: 2011

Background: Quest for understanding the nature of mechanisms governing the life span of clonal organisms lasts for several decades. Phylogenetic evidence for recent origins of most clones is usually interpreted as proof that clones suffer from gradual age-dependent fitness decay (e.g. Muller's ratchet). However, we have shown that a neutral drift can also qualitatively explain the observed distribution of clonal ages. This finding was followed by several attempts to distinguish the effects of neutral and non-neutral processes. Most recently, Neiman et al. 2009 (Ann N Y Acad Sci.: 1168:185-200.) reviewed the distribution of asexual lineage ages estimated from a diverse array of taxa and concluded that neutral processes alone may not explain the observed data. Moreover, the authors inferred that similar types of mechanisms determine maximum asexual lineage ages in all asexual taxa.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0202610