The role of balancing selection and overdominance in maintaining allozyme polymorphism.
Three approaches to the estimation of the role of balancing selection in maintaining allozyme polymorphism are considered: 1) Analysis of the stationary distributions of allelic frequencies in a native subdivided population; 2) Comparison of the genotypic distributions at the early and late developmental stages in successive generations of the same population; 3) Analysis of the 'joint' variability of monogenic and polygenic traits. The conclusion is drawn that allozyme polymorphism must not be regarded as a transient phase of molecular evolution but as its stationary phase. The mechanisms responsible for supporting such stability are discussed.
Altukhov YuP
Vavilov General Genetics Institute, U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005799:Genes, Dominant / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006579:Heterozygote; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012474:Salmon / Q000235:genetics; D012641:Selection, Genetic
D007527:Isoenzymes