reviewMolecular EcologyDec 11, 2003Closed access

The incomplete natural history of mitochondria

JWJ. William O. BallardMCMichael C. Whitlock

University of Iowa · University of British Columbia

PubMed
Indexed incrossrefpubmed

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been used to study molecular ecology and phylogeography for 25 years. Much important information has been gained in this way, but it is time to reflect on the biology of the mitochondrion itself and consider opportunities for evolutionary studies of the organelle itself and its ecology, biochemistry and physiology. This review has four sections. First, we review aspects of the natural history of mitochondria and their DNA to show that it is a unique molecule with specific characteristics that differ from nuclear DNA. We do not attempt to cover the plethora of differences between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA; rather we spotlight differences that can cause significant bias when…

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Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Biology
  • Mitochondrial DNA
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Phylogeography
  • Nuclear DNA
  • Natural selection
  • Nuclear gene
  • Population
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Life in Land
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