The evolution of mutation rates: separating causes from consequences
The evolution of mutation rates:
separating causes
from consequences
Paul D. Sniegowski,1* Philip J. Gerrish,2 Toby Johnson,3 and Aaron Shaver1
Summary
Natural selection can adjust the rate of mutation in a
population by acting on allelic variation affecting pro-
cesses of DNA replication and repair. Because mutation
is the ultimate source of the genetic variation required for
adaptation, it can be appealing to suppose that
