What is Gene Flow?

Gene flow is the transfer of genetic information between separate populations, promoting genetic diversity and potentially affecting evolutionary trajectories

Factors Affecting Gene Flow

Dispersal Capabilities and Geographical Barriers

The degree of gene flow is largely dependent on a species' ability to disperse and the presence of geographical barriers

Mobility and Range of Species

Highly mobile or wide-ranging species typically experience more gene flow

Evolutionary Impact of Gene Flow

Gene flow can promote genetic uniformity or introduce beneficial or detrimental alleles, depending on the interplay between random migration events and natural selection

Common Water Snake Gene Flow

Gene flow from mainland populations of the common water snake has introduced a banded pattern to island populations, which persists due to ongoing migration

Insecticide Resistance in Mosquitoes

Gene flow has facilitated the spread of insecticide resistance between Anopheles species, making it challenging to control malaria

Role of Gene Flow in Speciation

Gene flow can act as both a facilitator and a barrier to speciation, depending on the level of genetic divergence between populations

Distinction between Gene Flow and Genetic Drift

Gene flow involves the movement of alleles between populations, while genetic drift is the random fluctuation in allele frequencies due to chance events

Effects of Gene Flow on Genetic Diversity

Gene flow increases within-population genetic diversity, while genetic drift can lead to the loss of alleles and increased genetic divergence between populations

Human Evolution and Gene Flow

Gene flow has played a significant role in human evolution, facilitating the exchange of genetic material among Homo species and contributing to the development of adaptive traits