Stress-induced mutagenesis and complex adaptation

What is it about?

Stress has been shown to induce elevated mutation rates. This paper focuses on complex adaptations: adaptations which require two or more mutations that are separately harmful but beneficial when combined together. We use mathematical modelling and computer simulations to show that mutation rates that are induced under stress increase the rate at which complex adaptations are generated, leading to faster evolution.

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Why is it important?

Our work give theoretical support, for the first time, to a hypothesis that have been suggested by many authors over the last three decades: that stress-induced mutation rates lead to faster adaptive evolution.