Invasion and fixation of sex-reversal genes

Vuilleumier, Séverine; Lande, Russell; Van Alphen, Jacques; Seehausen, Ole (2007). Invasion and fixation of sex-reversal genes. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 20(3), pp. 913-920. New York, N.Y.: Wiley 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01311.x

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We simulated a meta-population with random dispersal among demes but local mating within demes to investigate conditions under which a dominant female-determining gene W, with no individual selection advantage, can invade and become fixed in females, changing the population from male to female heterogamety. Starting with one mutant W in a single deme, the interaction of sex ratio selection and random genetic drift causes W to be fixed among females more often than a comparable neutral mutation with no influence on sex determination, even when YY males have slightly reduced viability. Meta-population structure and interdeme selection can also favour the fixation of W. The reverse transition from female to male heterogamety can also occur with higher probability than for a comparable neutral mutation. These results help to explain the involvement of sex-determining genes in the evolution of sex chromosomes and in sexual selection and speciation.

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