movement of individuals and their alleles into a population
immigration
The movement of individuals and their alleles into a population is referred to as gene flow. Gene flow means the transfer of genetic material from one population to another population.
Gene flow can happen in several ways, including:
1. Migration: An individual or group of individuals leave their current population and join a different population.
2. Dispersal: An individual or group of individuals are transported to a new location by natural or human-induced means, such as wind, water, or human transport.
3. Hybridization: When individuals from different populations mate and produce offspring, gene flow occurs between the two populations.
Gene flow can have significant impacts on population genetics. It can increase genetic diversity within populations, reduce genetic divergence between populations, and potentially prevent speciation (the formation of new species). However, gene flow can also introduce harmful or maladaptive alleles into a population, leading to decreased fitness and potential extinction. Therefore, understanding and managing gene flow is an essential aspect of conservation biology and evolutionary ecology.
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