scholarly journals Understanding the Overdispersed Molecular Clock

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 154 (3) ◽  
pp. 1403-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J Cutler
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Evolution ◽  
Molecular Clock ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Population Parameter ◽  
Deleterious Mutations ◽  
Slow Time ◽  
Slow Time Scale ◽  
Key Population ◽  
Protein Encoding ◽  
Rates Of Molecular Evolution

Abstract Rates of molecular evolution at some protein-encoding loci are more irregular than expected under a simple neutral model of molecular evolution. This pattern of excessive irregularity in protein substitutions is often called the “overdispersed molecular clock” and is characterized by an index of dispersion, R(T) > 1. Assuming infinite sites, no recombination model of the gene R(T) is given for a general stationary model of molecular evolution. R(T) is shown to be affected by only three things: fluctuations that occur on a very slow time scale, advantageous or deleterious mutations, and interactions between mutations. In the absence of interactions, advantageous mutations are shown to lower R(T); deleterious mutations are shown to raise it. Previously described models for the overdispersed molecular clock are analyzed in terms of this work as are a few very simple new models. A model of deleterious mutations is shown to be sufficient to explain the observed values of R(T). Our current best estimates of R(T) suggest that either most mutations are deleterious or some key population parameter changes on a very slow time scale. No other interpretations seem plausible. Finally, a comment is made on how R(T) might be used to distinguish selective sweeps from background selection.

A nonlinear approach to tracking slow-time-scale changes in movement kinematics

2007 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 1629-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan B. Dingwell ◽  
Domenic F. Napolitano ◽  
David Chelidze
Keyword(s):  
Time Scale ◽  
Slow Time ◽  
Movement Kinematics ◽  
Slow Time Scale ◽  
Nonlinear Approach
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