The role of recombination and selection in the modifier theory of sex- ratio distortion (Q580225)

The equilibrium structure in a two-locus sex-ratio distortion model is investigated and conditions for internal and external stability (i.e. stability within its own allelic system and stability against mutant distorters, respectively) of certain equilibria are stated. The author assumed a primary locus with two possible alleles which is responsible for sex determination, and a secondary (modifier) locus with multiple alleles which governs the sex-ratio in the progeny. Both loci are linked according to the recombination fraction r. It is shown that a polymorphic symmetric equilibrium (i.e. an equilibrium with linkage equilibrium) is internally stable if and only if \(0\leq r_{lower}<r<r_{upper}\leq\) is satisfied, where \(r_{lower}\) and \(r_{upper}\) are determined by the eigenvalues of a certain positive symmetric matrix. Thus stable symmetric equilibria are associated with intermediate values of r, while limit cycles will occur for tight linkage and stable non-symmetric equilibria for large values of r. Turning to the case of external stability, it is argued that an equilibrium will resist the introduction of a new mutant distorter if \(r(s^*-s^*_{n+1})\) \((1-2s^*_{n+1})>(s^*-s^*_{n+1})^ 2\) holds, where \(s^*\) represents the equilibrium population sex-ratio and \(s^*_{n+1}\) is the mutant marginal sex-ratio distortion. Moreover, some limit cases of particular interest are considered.