ICCS06/Charles Goodnight

From NECSIWiki

[edit] Charles Goodnight

Univeristy of Vermont

Complexity and Evolution in Structured Populations

Traditional population genetics theory was built on several simplifying assumptions. Two assumptions in particular are worth examining. First, genes are assumed to act “additively” , that is, the effect of a gene on the phenotype is independent of what genes are at other loci, second, it is typically assumed that mating and interactions among individuals are random. These assumptions were reasonable and necessary at the time that the theory was developed, however, over the years these simplifying assumptions have become reified to the point that they color our basic thinking about evolution. In this talk I will discuss the consequences of relaxing these assumptions. In particular I will discuss the genetic consequences gene interaction in small populations both in terms of the potential to respond to selection among individuals, and in terms of the potential for selection acting at multiple levels (e.g., group selection). Finally, I will relate this to how deviations from the classic assumptions of population genetics will require us to alter our views of the process of evolution.