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DNA tests of neutral theory: applications in marine genetics

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Abstract

The principal methods of using DNA sequence information to test the neutral theory of evolution and polymorphism are described. These include the use of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions for detecting purifying and positive selection, the analysis of nucleotide diversity, mismatch analysis and the HKA, McDonald-Kreitman, Tajima and Ewens-Watterson tests. Analysis of the covariation of different kinds of molecular markers and the relationship between genetic variation and fitness is also considered. Examples of the use of these approaches in a wide variety of marine organisms are described. It is emphasised that tests of neutral theory, in addition to providing important fundamental knowledge about the action of evolutionary forces, provide valuable information about the influence of environmental and demographic factors.

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  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Swansea, SA2 8PP, U.K.

    D. O. F. Skibinski

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Skibinski, D.O.F. DNA tests of neutral theory: applications in marine genetics. Hydrobiologia 420, 137–152 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003954229804

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