EVOLUTIONARY SIGNIFICANCE OF GENOMIC CONFLICT

Abstract

Genomic conflict arises when some selfish genetic elements such as transposons, homing
endonucleases, driving chromosomes, heritable microorganisms etc. in the eukaryotic genome
are transmitted at a rate much higher than expected, regardless of the effect on fitness of the host. Conflict may occur between genomes (including paternal-maternal and parental-zygotic
conflicts) or within genomes (between cytoplasmic and nuclear genes or sex chromosomes and
autosomes). In the present article, we will focus on evolutionary role of genomic conflict behind
the unexpected complexity of mechanisms of sex determination, diversity of genome, speciation
and extinction of eukaryotic populations among plants and animals.