| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Maia, Leonardo P.
[1]
;
Colato, Alexandre
;
Fontanari, José F.
Total Authors: 3
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física de São Carlos - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 3
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Journal of Theoretical Biology; v. 226, n. 3, p. 315-320, Feb. 2004. |
| Field of knowledge: | Engineering - Production Engineering |
| Abstract | |
Selection is one of the factors that most influence the shape of genealogical trees. Here we report results of simulations of the infinite-sites version of Moran's model of population genetics aiming at quantifying how the presence of selection affects the branching pattern (topology) of binary genealogical trees. In particular, we consider a scenario of purifying or negative selection in which all mutations are deleterious and each new mutation reduces the fitness of the individual by the same fraction. Analysis of five statistical measures of tree balance or symmetry borrowed from taxonomy indicates that the genealogical trees of samples of populations in which selection is actuating are in the average more asymmetric than neutral trees and that this effect is enhanced by increasing the sample size. However, a quantitative evaluation of the power of these balance measures to detect a tree topology significantly distinct from the neutral one indicates that they are not useful as tests of neutrality of mutations. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 99/09644-9 - Theoretical Molecular Evolution |
| Grantee: | José Fernando Fontanari |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |