Y. J. Brandvain

Mating system and environment predict the direction and extent of introgression between incipient Clarkia species

The paper investigates how mating system divergence and environmental variation influence introgression between two Clarkia species, finding asymmetric introgression and environmental effects on hybridization.

Together Inbreeding and Reproductive Compensation Favor Lethal t-Haplotypes

The paper shows that inbreeding and reproductive compensation together explain the persistence of lethal t-haplotypes in natural populations better than previous models.

Reproductive compensation and selection among viable embryos drive the evolution of polyembryony

The paper shows reproductive compensation and selection among embryos drive polyembryony evolution using a population genetics model.

Early acting inbreeding depression can evolve as an inbreeding avoidance mechanism

The paper shows that inbreeding depression can be adaptive when reproductive compensation allows replacement of inviable embryos, favoring self-sacrificial recessive variants.

Linked selection and the evolution of altruism in family-structured populations

This study investigates how linked selection affects the evolution of altruism in family-structured populations through population genetic simulations.

Critical Role of Insertion Preference for Invasion Trajectory of Transposons

The paper investigates how transposon insertion preferences affect their copy number and host population extinction risk through simulations.

Conflict over fertilization underlies the transient evolution of reinforcement

This paper models interspecific conflict over reinforcement, showing that sexual conflict over fertilization can lead to transient evolution of prezygotic isolation before it is lost.

Patterns of genetic variation in a prairie wildflower, Silphium integrifolium, suggest a non-prairie origin and locally adaptive variation.

This study uses population genetic data to show Silphium integrifolium originated outside modern prairies and identifies loci linked to local adaptation, suggesting broader germplasm collection could improve breeding programs.

Identifying the fitness consequences of sex in complex natural environments

This study shows that sex reduces lifetime fitness in wildflowers due to inbreeding depression, despite lower herbivory, and highlights the role of complex environments and mate identity.

The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Convolutional Neural Networks in Population Genetic Inference

This paper applies convolutional neural networks to population genetic inference, showing they match or exceed current methods in accuracy and model selection.