The role of dominant mutations in the population expansion

Abstract

We have studied the dynamics of expansion of diploid, sexually reproducing populations onto new territories demanding different genetic adaptations. Populations succeeded in the new habitats if the mutations of alleles responsible for adaptation to the new conditions were recessive. If behind the hostile territory another friendly habitat exists, several different scenarios are possible, including one in which the middle, most hostile, habitat remains empty, separating populated two, more friendly, ones. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2004.