population mutation rate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "population mutation rate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to genetics, evolution, or population biology when discussing the frequency of mutations within a population over time. Example: "The study aimed to determine the population mutation rate in various species to understand their evolutionary dynamics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These organisms typically also have larger genomes, potentially offering more mutational targets for adaptation, although the population mutation rate (Neμ) often is smaller in absolute magnitude because of the population sizes used.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

One that came up a bunch yesterday is the population mutation rate or the population scale mutation rate 4Nmu.

Cornell University

Because this dynamic neglects the effects of polymorphism in the population beyond the mutant allele under consideration, the steady state solution provides a decent approximation of evolutionary dynamics when the population mutation rate is low (Nu≪1).

Theoretical Population Biology

The ancestral population evolves with a population mutation rate θA = 4NeAμ, where NeA is the ancestral effective population size and μ is the per nucleotide neutral mutation rate.

Plosone

The nucleotide sequences of the rlrA islet were aligned, and the nucleotide diversity π and the Watterson estimator θ of the population mutation rate per site were computed using a sliding window of 100 bp along the sequences.

Plosone

The second method relies on the notion that variance- and homozygosity-based estimates of the population mutation rate θ are expected to be equal in a neutral locus in a population at mutation-drift equilibrium [63], [64].

Plosone

Since population recombination rates are dependent on the effective population size (ρ = 4Ner), estimates of the population recombination rate in each population were normalized by θ = 4Neµ, a scaled population mutation rate obtained from the same individuals and populations, where µ is the genome-wide average microsatellite mutation rate per locus and per generation [13].

Plosone

In total, we estimated eight parameters: the population mutation rate θ1 of our reference Germany population, the ratios θ2/θ1, θA/θ1, θ2b/θ1, θ1b/θ1, the divergence time τs, and the times since recovery from the bottlenecks, τ1 and τ2.

Plosone

The nucleotide diversity π with Jukes-Cantor correction [40], the Watterson's estimator of the population mutation rate per site θ [41] and Tajima D [29] were computed using DnaSP 4.10 [42], using a sliding window of length 100 bp shifted by 25 bp at each step.

Plosone

Tajima's D is a commonly used summary of the site-frequency spectrum of nucleotide polymorphism data, and is based on the difference between two estimators of θ (the population mutation rate 4Neµ): nucleotide diversity that is the average number of pairwise differences between sequences, and Watterson's estimator [38], based on the number of segregating sites.

Plosone

Fay and Wu's H test [18] was performed by determining the derived allele from comparisons with black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) sequences described by [4], and statistically significant deviations from the standard neutral model were investigated using coalescent simulations based on the observed population mutation rate.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the rate of mutations in a population, use "population mutation rate" to precisely convey the concept in scientific writing.

Common error

Avoid using "population mutation rate" when you actually mean the rate at which mutations become fixed in a population. Mutation rate refers to the initial occurrence, while fixation rate describes the establishment of a mutation within the gene pool.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "population mutation rate" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in sentences discussing genetic variation and evolution. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Academia

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "population mutation rate" is grammatically sound and widely accepted within the scientific community, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is used to quantify the frequency of new mutations within a population, primarily in the context of genetics, evolution, and population biology. While alternatives exist, "population mutation rate" is the most precise and commonly used term in scientific writing. Key considerations include understanding its relationship to effective population size, per-site mutation rates, and the distinction between mutation rate and fixation rate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mutation rate in a population

Reorders the words slightly for a different flow.

rate of mutation within a population

Changes the noun "mutation" to an adjective describing "rate".

population-level mutation rate

Uses "population-level" as an adjective.

mutation frequency in a population

Substitutes "rate" with "frequency".

genomic mutation rate in a population

Adds "genomic" to specify the scope of the mutation rate.

evolutionary rate of mutation

Focuses on the evolutionary aspect of mutation.

per-generation mutation rate

Specifies the rate relative to a generation.

rate of genetic change in a population

Broadens the scope to genetic change rather than just mutation.

mutational load per generation

Expresses the rate in terms of the mutational load.

inherited mutation frequency

Highlights the heritability of mutations.

FAQs

How is "population mutation rate" calculated?

The population mutation rate (θ) is often estimated using formulas like θ = 4Neµ, where Ne is the effective population size and µ is the mutation rate per locus per generation. Different estimators, such as Watterson's θ and nucleotide diversity (π), can also be used.

What does a high "population mutation rate" indicate?

A high "population mutation rate" can indicate a large effective population size, a high per-site mutation rate, or both. It suggests a greater potential for genetic diversity and adaptation within the population. Comparison of two distinct haplotypes can reveal a high estimate of "population mutation rate", which is consistent with large effective population size and/or high mutation rate per generation.

How does "population mutation rate" relate to Tajima's D?

Tajima's D is a statistical test used to examine the site-frequency spectrum of nucleotide polymorphism data. It compares different estimators of θ (the "population mutation rate"), and deviations from neutrality can indicate selection or population size changes. Tajima's D is based on the difference between two estimators of θ: nucleotide diversity and Watterson's estimator.

What are some alternatives to "population mutation rate"?

While "population mutation rate" is precise, you could use "mutation rate in a population" or "rate of mutation within a population" for similar meanings. However, "population mutation rate" is the most common and accepted term in scientific literature.