Return to Revisions

Hopefully this syllogism will answer your question.

Given the following premises:

1. In the absence of selection, fitness of individuals are at a theoretical maximum.
2. If a theoretical maximum fitness is achieved the effective population size is also at a maximum.
3. If there is an allele that confers both increased fitness and decreased fitness (simultaneously) you have a genetic conflict (e.g. an allele that turns you green gives you good woodland camouflage but is un-attractive).
4. If a deleterious allele is linked to a beneficial allele this is similar to having a genetic conflict (mentioned in 3.).

The conclusion follows:

Strong linkage between beneficial alleles and deleterious alleles (Hill Robertson effects, i.e. 3. and 4.) prevents a theoretically maximum fitness to be attained (1.) and thus a reduced effective population size (2.). Which can only be overcome by high levels of recombination and mating (i.e. by separating deleterious and beneficial alleles).