12 Facts About Gene flow

In population genetics, gene flow is the transfer of genetic material from one population to another.

Gene flow is an important mechanism for transferring genetic diversity among populations.

High rates of gene flow can reduce the genetic differentiation between the two groups, increasing homogeneity.

Gene flow is expected to be lower in species that have low dispersal or mobility, that occur in fragmented habitats, where there is long distances between populations, and when there are small population sizes.

When gene flow is impeded, there can be an increase in inbreeding, measured by the inbreeding coefficient within a population.

When gene flow occurs via migration the deleterious effects of inbreeding can be ameliorated.

When gene flow is blocked by physical barriers, this results in Allopatric speciation or a geographical isolation that does not allow populations of the same species to exchange genetic material.

Gene flow can be used to assist species which are threatened with extinction.

The second is called the urban facilitation model, and suggests that in some populations, gene flow is enabled by anthropogenic changes to the landscape.

Urban facilitation of gene flow connects populations, reduces isolation, and increases gene flow into an area which would otherwise not have this specific genome composition.

Positive effects of urban facilitation can occur when increased gene flow enables better adaptation and introduces beneficial alleles, and would ideally increase biodiversity.

Negative effects would occur when increased gene flow is maladaptive and causes the loss of beneficial alleles.