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coalescence theory

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | 367 words | Copyright

coalescence theory A theory stating that all alleles of a gene must have descended from a single allele, the coalescent. The theory applies to neutral or nearly neutral genes, usually in a population of constant size where random mating occurs. The coalesence time (i.e. the time to the most recent common ancestor) depends on the population size and generation time.

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