Mutation Rates: Simpler Than We Thought?

Mutation rate variation is often explained by varying optimal rates, or through effective population sizes determining the effectiveness of selection. But a rate difference between humans and owl monkeys is now explained mechanistically as a consequence of differing reproductive longevities. Mutation rate variation is often explained by varying optimal rates, or through effective population sizes determining the effectiveness of selection. But a rate difference between humans and owl monkeys is now explained mechanistically as a consequence of differing reproductive longevities.