Biological
differences
between
males
and
females
lead
to
many
in
physiology,
disease,
overall
health.
One
of
the
most
prominent
disparities
is
number
germline
mutations
passed
offspring:
human
transmit
three
times
as
do
females.
While
classic
explanation
for
this
pattern
invokes
post-puberty
replication
sexes,
recent
whole-genome
evidence
humans
other
mammals
has
cast
doubt
on
mechanism.
Here,
we
review
work
that
inconsistent
with
a
replication-driven
model
male-biased
mutation,
propose
an
alternative,
“faulty
male”
hypothesis.
Importantly,
suggest
new
mutation
may
also
help
explain
several
pronounced
sexes
cancer,
aging,
DNA
repair.
Although
detailed
contributions
genetic,
epigenetic,
hormonal
influences
biological
sex
remain
be
fully
understood,
reconsideration
mechanisms
underlying
these
will
deeper
understanding
evolution
disease.
Nature,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
615(7951), P. 285 - 291
Published: March 1, 2023
The
germline
mutation
rate
determines
the
pace
of
genome
evolution
and
is
an
evolving
parameter
itself1.
However,
little
known
about
what
its
evolution,
as
most
studies
rates
have
focused
on
single
species
with
different
methodologies2.
Here
we
quantify
across
vertebrates
by
sequencing
comparing
high-coverage
genomes
151
parent-offspring
trios
from
68
mammals,
fishes,
birds
reptiles.
We
show
that
per-generation
varies
among
a
factor
40,
being
higher
for
males
than
females
in
mammals
birds,
but
not
reptiles
fishes.
generation
time,
age
at
maturity
species-level
fecundity
are
key
life-history
traits
affecting
this
variation
species.
Furthermore,
long-term
effective
population
sizes
tend
to
lower
per
generation,
providing
support
drift
barrier
hypothesis3.
exceptionally
high
yearly
domesticated
animals,
which
been
continually
selected
including
shorter
times,
further
importance
time
rates.
Overall,
our
comparative
analysis
pedigree-based
provides
ecological
insights
vertebrates.
Science Advances,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
9(1)
Published: Jan. 6, 2023
The
generation
times
of
our
recent
ancestors
can
tell
us
about
both
the
biology
and
social
organization
prehistoric
humans,
placing
human
evolution
on
an
absolute
time
scale.
We
present
a
method
for
predicting
historical
male
female
based
changes
in
mutation
spectrum.
Our
analyses
whole-genome
data
reveal
average
26.9
years
across
past
250,000
years,
with
fathers
consistently
older
(30.7
years)
than
mothers
(23.2
years).
Shifts
sex-averaged
have
been
driven
primarily
by
to
age
paternity,
although
we
report
substantial
increase
past.
also
find
large
difference
among
populations,
reaching
back
when
all
humans
occupied
Africa.
In
the
past
decade,
several
studies
have
estimated
human
per-generation
germline
mutation
rate
using
large
pedigrees.
More
recently,
estimates
for
various
nonhuman
species
been
published.
However,
methodological
differences
among
in
detecting
mutations
and
estimating
rates
make
direct
comparisons
difficult.
Here,
we
describe
many
different
steps
involved
pedigree-based
rates,
including
sampling,
sequencing,
mapping,
variant
calling,
filtering,
appropriately
accounting
false-positive
false-negative
rates.
For
each
step,
review
methods
parameter
choices
that
used
recent
literature.
Additionally,
present
results
from
a
'Mutationathon,'
competition
organized
five
research
labs
to
compare
single
pedigree
of
rhesus
macaques.
We
report
almost
twofold
variation
final
groups
post-alignment
processing,
filtering
criteria,
provide
details
into
sources
across
studies.
Though
difference
is
not
statistically
significant,
this
discrepancy
emphasizes
need
standardized
estimations
difficulty
comparing
Finally,
work
aims
guidelines
computational
statistical
benchmarks
future
interested
identifying
In
humans
and
other
mammals,
germline
mutations
are
more
likely
to
arise
in
fathers
than
mothers.
Although
this
sex
bias
has
long
been
attributed
DNA
replication
errors
spermatogenesis,
recent
evidence
from
points
the
importance
of
mutagenic
processes
that
do
not
depend
on
cell
division,
calling
into
question
our
understanding
basic
phenomenon.
Here,
we
infer
ratio
paternal-to-maternal
mutations,
PLoS Biology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
23(2), P. e3003015 - e3003015
Published: Feb. 7, 2025
Every
mammal
studied
to
date
has
been
found
have
a
male
mutation
bias:
parents
transmit
more
de
novo
mutations
offspring
than
female
parents,
contributing
increasingly
with
age.
Although
male-biased
for
75
years,
its
causes
are
still
debated.
One
obstacle
understanding
this
pattern
is
near
universality—without
variation
in
bias,
it
difficult
find
an
underlying
cause.
Here,
we
present
new
data
on
multiple
pedigrees
from
two
primate
species:
aye-ayes
(
Daubentonia
madagascariensis
),
member
of
the
strepsirrhine
primates,
and
olive
baboons
Papio
anubis
).
In
stark
contrast
across
mammals,
much
larger
effect
maternal
age
paternal
rates
aye-aye.
addition,
older
aye-aye
mothers
substantially
fathers.
We
carry
out
both
computational
experimental
validation
our
results,
contrasting
them
results
other
primates
using
same
methodologies.
Further,
analyze
set
DNA
repair
replication
genes
identify
candidate
that
may
be
responsible
change
bias
observed
aye-ayes.
Our
demonstrate
not
immutable
trait,
but
rather
one
can
evolve
between
closely
related
species.
Further
work
(and
possibly
lemuriform
primates)
should
help
explain
molecular
basis
sex-biased
mutation.
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
33(9)
Published: April 5, 2024
Abstract
Wildlife
populations
are
becoming
increasingly
fragmented
by
anthropogenic
development.
Small
and
isolated
often
face
an
elevated
risk
of
extinction,
in
part
due
to
inbreeding
depression.
Here,
we
examine
the
genomic
consequences
urbanization
a
caracal
(
Caracal
)
population
that
has
become
Cape
Peninsula
region
City
Town,
South
Africa,
is
thought
number
~50
individuals.
We
document
low
levels
migration
into
over
past
~75
years,
with
estimated
rate
1.3
effective
migrants
per
generation.
As
consequence
this
isolation
small
size,
contemporary
(mean
F
ROH
=
0.20).
Inbreeding
primarily
manifests
as
long
runs
homozygosity
>10
Mb,
consistent
effects
rapid
recent
growth
Town.
To
explore
how
reduced
may
impact
future
dynamics,
parameterized
eco‐evolutionary
simulation
model.
find
if
rates
do
not
change
future,
expected
decline,
though
projected
extinction.
However,
decline
or
mortality
increase,
potential
extinction
greatly
elevated.
avert
suggest
translocating
initiate
genetic
rescue
be
warranted
near
future.
Our
analysis
highlights
utility
datasets
coupled
computational
models
for
investigating
influence
gene
flow
on
viability.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
121(2)
Published: Jan. 2, 2024
Habitat
degradation
and
loss
of
genetic
diversity
are
common
threats
faced
by
almost
all
today’s
wild
cats.
Big
cats,
such
as
tigers
lions,
great
concern
have
received
considerable
conservation
attention
through
policies
international
actions.
However,
knowledge
actions
for
small
cats
lagging
considerably
behind.
The
black-footed
cat,
Felis
nigripes
,
one
the
smallest
felid
species,
is
experiencing
increasing
with
a
rapid
reduction
in
population
size.
there
lack
information
to
assist
developing
effective
A
de
novo
assembly
high-quality
chromosome-level
reference
genome
cat
was
made,
comparative
genomics
analyses
were
carried
out.
These
revealed
that
most
significant
changes
evolution
sensory
metabolic-related
genes,
reflecting
adaptations
its
characteristic
nocturnal
hunting
high
metabolic
rate.
Genomes
exhibit
level
inbreeding,
especially
signals
recent
inbreeding
events,
which
suggest
they
may
experienced
severe
isolation
caused
habitat
fragmentation.
More
importantly,
associated
two
deleterious
mutated
genes
exacerbate
risk
amyloidosis,
dominant
disease
causes
mortality
about
70%
captive
individuals.
Our
research
provides
comprehensive
documentation
evolutionary
history
suggests
an
urgent
need
investigate
genomic
variations
felids
worldwide
support
Annual Review of Biomedical Data Science,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
7(1), P. 83 - 105
Published: April 26, 2024
Novel
sequencing
technologies
are
making
it
increasingly
possible
to
measure
the
mutation
rates
of
somatic
cell
lineages.
Accurate
germline
rate
measurement
have
also
been
available
for
a
decade,
assess
how
this
fundamental
evolutionary
parameter
varies
across
tree
life.
Here,
we
review
some
classical
theories
about
and
evolution
that
were
formulated
using
principles
population
genetics
biology
aging
cancer.
We
find
measurements,
while
still
limited
in
phylogenetic
diversity,
seem
consistent
with
theory
selection
preserve
soma
is
proportional
life
span.
However,
make
conflicting
predictions
regarding
which
species
should
most
accurate
DNA
repair.
Resolving
conflict
will
require
carefully
measuring
scale
time
division
achieving
better
understanding
pleiotropy
among
types.