Mutations generate variation, critical for
#evolution, but
#MutationBias restricts the choice of mutation type.
@deepaagashe &co use
#Ecoli strains with different mutation biases to show that changing an old bias should yield more beneficial mutations
@PLOSBiology https://plos.io/46LjCRtAye-ayes are clearly unusual, but
@3rdreviewer &co show that they also have an unusual pattern of
#MutationBias; older females transmit more mutations than males. This is a first for mammals, raising questions about other
#lemurs #plosbiology https://plos.io/40SR4kj
Unprecedented female mutation bias in the aye-aye, a highly unusual lemur from Madagascar
Aye-ayes are an unusual primate in many respects, especially in their lifestyle and mode of finding and eating prey. This study shows that they also have an unusual pattern of mutation bias; older females transmit more mutations than males. This is the only mammal known with such a pattern, and suggests the possibility that all lemurs may have unusual patterns of mutation.
New
#preprint led by
@arlin, with contributions by me and others.
https://ecoevorxiv.org/repository/view/4705/ It's a criticism of writings by
@EvolOdonata , which in our view misrepresent the latest
#science (both
#theory and empirical work) on how
#MutationBias influences
#adaptation.
#evolution #ModernSynthesisMisrepresenting biases in arrival: a comment on Svensson (2022)
PLOS Biology
Joanna Masel