Question

Can gene flow ever accelerate the rate of adaptive evolution? That is, can gene flow ever increase the rate at which an advantageous allele increases in frequency?

A) No, gene flow only and always acts as a "drag" on adaptive evolution
B) Yes, gene flow can accelerate adaptive evolution if migrants are introducing an allele that is advantageous in the population into which they are migrating and that same advantageous allele is at a lower frequency in the recipient population than it is in the migrants.

Answer 1

Gene flow can accelerate the rate of adaptive evolution by introducing advantageous alleles from one population to another. However, it may also introduce deleterious alleles or disrupt local adaptation, which can hinder adaptive evolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gene flow refers to the migration of individuals or gametes in and out of a population. It can have a significant effect on allele frequencies in a population. In some cases, gene flow can accelerate the rate of adaptive evolution by introducing advantageous alleles from one population to another.

For example, if migrants carry an advantageous allele that is at a lower frequency in the recipient population, gene flow can increase the frequency of that allele, leading to a faster rate of adaptive evolution. This is because the introduction of the advantageous allele provides a selective advantage to individuals in the recipient population.

However, it is important to note that gene flow does not always accelerate adaptive evolution. In some cases, it may introduce deleterious alleles or disrupt local adaptation, which can hinder adaptive evolution.