neutral theory of population genetics

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The neutral theory of population genetics is an evolutionary framework proposing that most genetic variation and molecular changes in populations are governed by random genetic drift of selectively neutral mutations rather than by natural selection.

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Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf evolutionary theory
scientific theory
theory in population genetics
addresses molecular evolution
polymorphism within populations
alsoKnownAs neutral theory of molecular evolution
appliesTo many protein-coding sequence changes
noncoding DNA variation
synonymous substitutions
assumes effective population size influences the fate of neutral mutations
many mutations have no effect on organismal fitness
contrastsWith adaptive evolutionism at the molecular level
selectionist theory of molecular evolution
coreClaim most evolutionary changes at the molecular level are caused by random genetic drift of selectively neutral mutations
most standing genetic variation within populations is selectively neutral or nearly neutral
criticizedFor underestimating the role of adaptive evolution at the molecular level
downplaysProcess positive natural selection
emphasizesProcess genetic drift
mutation
extendedBy nearly neutral theory of molecular evolution NERFINISHED
field evolutionary biology
population genetics
influenced development of coalescent theory
interpretation of DNA sequence variation
molecular population genetics
predicts heterozygosity depends on effective population size and neutral mutation rate
molecular clock-like constancy of substitution rates over time
most fixed differences between species at the molecular level are selectively neutral
rate of neutral molecular evolution equals neutral mutation rate
proposedBy Motoo Kimura NERFINISHED
providesModelFor expected site frequency spectrum under neutrality
providesNullModelFor Hudson–Kreitman–Aguadé test NERFINISHED
McDonald–Kreitman test NERFINISHED
Tajima's D NERFINISHED
tests of natural selection
publicationAuthor Motoo Kimura NERFINISHED
publicationYear 1983
publishedIn The Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution NERFINISHED
relatedConcept coalescent process
effective population size
genetic drift
molecular clock
selectively neutral mutation
supportsView much molecular evolution is non-adaptive
timePeriod late 1960s
usedIn detecting deviations from neutrality as evidence of selection
estimating effective population size from neutral markers
inferring demographic history from neutral loci

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Unified Neutral Theory of Biodiversity and Biogeography basedOn neutral theory of population genetics