• An intricate evolutionary conn...

*Result*: An intricate evolutionary connection between meiotic drive and sex.

Title:
An intricate evolutionary connection between meiotic drive and sex.
Authors:
Courret C; Laboratoire Evolution, Génome, Comportement et Ecologie, UMR UPSaclay, CNRS 9191, IRD 247, Gif-sur-Yvette, France. Electronic address: cecile.courret@universite-paris-saclay.fr., Montchamp-Moreau C; Laboratoire Evolution, Génome, Comportement et Ecologie, UMR UPSaclay, CNRS 9191, IRD 247, Gif-sur-Yvette, France., Cordaux R; Laboratoire Evolution, Génome, Comportement et Ecologie, UMR UPSaclay, CNRS 9191, IRD 247, Gif-sur-Yvette, France., Gilbert C; Laboratoire Evolution, Génome, Comportement et Ecologie, UMR UPSaclay, CNRS 9191, IRD 247, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Source:
Current opinion in insect science [Curr Opin Insect Sci] 2026 Feb; Vol. 73, pp. 101452. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Oct 15.
Publication Type:
Journal Article; Review
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 101635599 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2214-5753 (Electronic) NLM ISO Abbreviation: Curr Opin Insect Sci Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Original Publication: Amsterdam : Elsevier
MeSH Terms:
Sex Chromosomes*/genetics , Insecta*/genetics , Insecta*/physiology , Meiosis* , Biological Evolution*, Animals ; Male ; Female
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251017 Date Completed: 20251211 Latest Revision: 20251211
Update Code:
20260130
DOI:
10.1016/j.cois.2025.101452
PMID:
41106809
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*Meiotic drive systems are selfish genetic elements that subvert Mendelian inheritance in favor of their own transmission, often at the expense of host fitness. These elements can lead to profound evolutionary consequences by instigating genetic conflicts, particularly on sex chromosomes, where they frequently reside. Their preferential transmission can distort sex ratios and impact the fertility of carriers, triggering the rapid evolution of suppressor elements, resulting in an evolutionary arms race. This review highlights the dynamic interplay between meiotic drive and sex chromosome evolution, noting that drivers are often linked to recombination-suppressed regions and may catalyze chromosomal divergence and even speciation. Additionally, meiotic drivers can influence reproductive traits and sexual selection. They can reduce male fertility by destroying specific gametes, prompting compensatory adaptations. The reciprocal influence of sexual selection and reproductive behavior on driver frequency underscores the complex nature of this interaction. Though drivers can promote speciation by fixing incompatibilities or facilitating chromosomal rearrangements, they may also act as a stabilizing force, preserving ancestral karyotypes and delaying reproductive isolation. Ultimately, meiotic drive represents a potent evolutionary force shaping genome structure, reproduction, and diversification. Future work integrating molecular, ecological, and evolutionary frameworks is crucial to elucidate the multifaceted roles of meiotic drive across taxa.
(Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)*

*Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.*