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The different levels of genetic diversity in sex chromosomes and autosomes.

Fri, 2012-08-10 15:57 -- John Hawks
TitleThe different levels of genetic diversity in sex chromosomes and autosomes.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsEllegren, H
JournalTrends in genetics : TIG
Volume25
Issue6
Pagination278-84
Date Published2009 Jun
ISSN0168-9525
Keywordsmutation, mutation rate, X chromosome
Abstract

Sex chromosomes and autosomes differ in their effective population size, mutation and demography, all of which affect the relative level of genetic diversity within the genome. Moreover, natural selection acts differentially on the two chromosomal categories, for example, because recessive mutations are directly exposed to selection on the single X chromosome of males. Recent genome analyses reveal a heterogeneous picture of the sex-chromosome-to-autosome diversity ratio in different organisms. Reduced X chromosome diversity has been interpreted to reflect demographic features such as bottlenecks and male-biased dispersal, whereas more equal diversity in sex chromosomes and autosomes has been explained by polygynous mating systems.

DOI10.1016/j.tig.2009.04.005
Alternate JournalTrends Genet.
Citation KeyEllegren:2009
PubMed ID19481288

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