Mitochondrial genome and extinction

Supervisor: Klaus Reinhardt

Background: Mitochondria produce energy but individuals carrying different mitochondrial haplotypes seem to differ in energy production. This implies haplotypes might differ in reproduction. Here we ask whether populations go extinct at different rates when they carry a different mitochondrial haplotype.

References:

Dowling 2014 Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1840:1393-1403

Dobler et al. 2014. J evol Biol 27: 2012-2034

Dobler et al. 2018. Human Reprod Update 24: 519-534.