The consequences of mutation in multi-clonal asexual species

Abstract

The consequences of favourable and deleterious mutations in an asexual population with two alleles A and a are considered. The frequency of A = p and that of a = q, p ≠ q is likely so that p > q is assumed. The polymorphism is maintained by frequency dependent selection. In such a species there will be a tendency for advantageous mutations to accumulate most rapidly in clone A and deleterious mutations to accumulate most rapidly in clone a. Eventually the species will become monomorphic for A. During the process clone A will become larger but will lose fitness. Sex prevents clonal loss and permits the existence of intense variation. © 1983, The Genetical Society of Great Britain.