The nearly neutral theory predicts that substitution rate is
A) equal to divergence time.
B) independent of population size.
C) lower in smaller populations.
D) higher in smaller populations.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nearly neutral theory of molecular evolution suggests that the efficiency of natural selection is related to population size. In smaller populations, slightly deleterious mutations are more likely to fix due to genetic drift, leading to a higher substitution rate compared to larger populations.

The Nearly Neutral Theory Predicts That Substitution Rate Is