Coevolution of self-fertilization and inbreeding depression. III: Homozygous lethal mutations at multiple loci (Q1182798)

In this third part [for part II see the preceding review] the authors investigate the evolution of selfing in response to deleterious mutations at multiple loci in diploid populations. The model supposes a modifier locus controlling the rate of self- fertilization and an arbitrary number of unlinked viability loci, with wild-type alleles and mutant defective alleles such that mutations are homozygous lethal. It is shown that positive associations evolve between a modifier gene enhancing the rate of selfing and haplotypes carrying multiple wild-type alleles, and thus increases the rate of self- fertilization in the population.