Graphical abstract The observed L-shaped distribution of the relative substitution rate (c/u) of SARS-COV-2 genome can not be explained by the three existing evolution theories (A-C) but a new theory: Near-Neutral Balanced Selection Theory (NNBST) (D). A : The selectionist theory (ST); B : Poisson probability distribution of c/u implied by Kimura’s Neutral Theory (KNT/GSRM); C: Asymmetric distribution of the nearly neutral site implied by Ohta’s Nearly Neutral Theory (ONNT). D: L-shaped Distribution implied by the NNBST. Top : Probability distribution showing negative (−), positive (+) and neutral selection (straight line). Bottom : Selection type distributions for the four theories of molecular evolution. Colors are assigned for strong negative/conserved selection (red), neutral selection (dark green), weak positive/weak negative selection (light green) and strong positive selection (yellow). Regions enclosed in the dashed lines in C) indicate weak positive selection (left) and weak negative selection (right). Image 1
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, L-shaped probability distribution, Lewontin's paradox, Relative substitution rate ratio (c/μ), Selection type, Un-translated region, “Neutralist-selectionist” controversy,