title: Negative frequency dependent selection on sympatric mtDNA haplotypes inDrosophila subobscura.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent experimental evidence for selection on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has prompted the question as to what processes act to maintain within-population variation in mtDNA. Balancing selection though negative frequency dependent selection (NFDS) among sympatric haplotypes is a possibility, but direct empirical evidence for this is very scarce.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We extend the previous findings of a multi-generation replicated cage experiment inDrosophila subobscura, where mtDNA polymorphism was maintained in a laboratory setting. First, we use a set of Monte Carlo simulations to show that the haplotype frequency dynamics observed are inconsistent with genetic drift alone and most closely match those expected under NFDS. Second, we show that haplotype frequency changes over time were significantly different from those expected under either genetic drift or positive selection but were consistent with those expected under NFSD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collectively, our analyses provide novel support for NFDS on mtDNA haplotypes, suggesting that mtDNA polymorphism may at least in part be maintained by balancing selection also in natural populations. We very briefly discuss the possible mechanisms that might be involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology, University of Uppsala, Norbyv 18D, SE75236 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Göran
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3501-3376
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arnqvist
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology, University of Uppsala, Norbyv 18D, SE75236 Uppsala, Sweden ; Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Despot Stefan Blvd 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Zorana Kurbalija
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Novičić
authors.affiliation: Laboratori de Genètica, Departament de Biologia, Facultat de Ciencies, Edifici Guillem Colom, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Campus de la UIB, Palma de Mallorca, Balears 07122 Spain.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology, University of Uppsala, Norbyv 18D, SE75236 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sayadi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D040961:Genetic Drift; D006239:Haplotypes; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D061350:Sympatry
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: Balancing selection; Life history evolution; Negative frequency dependent selection; Polymorphism; SimuPop; mtDNA