Editing Population size (section)

== Critical Mutation Rate ==
Critical mutation rate, or [[Error threshold (evolution)|error threshold]], limits the number of mutations that can exist within a self-replicating molecule before genetic information is destroyed in later generations.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Eigen M | title = Selforganization of matter and the evolution of biological macromolecules | journal = Die Naturwissenschaften | volume = 58 | issue = 10 | pages = 465–523 | date = October 1971 | pmid = 4942363 | doi = 10.1007/bf00623322 | bibcode = 1971NW.....58..465E | s2cid = 38296619 }}</ref>

Contrary to the findings of previous studies,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Gillespie JH | title = Is the population size of a species relevant to its evolution? | journal = Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution | volume = 55 | issue = 11 | pages = 2161–9 | date = November 2001 | pmid = 11794777 | jstor = 2680348 | doi=10.1111/j.0014-3820.2001.tb00732.x| doi-access = free }}</ref> critical mutation rate has been noted to be dependent on population size in both haploid and diploid populations.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | vauthors = Aston E, Channon A, Day C, Knight CG | title = Critical mutation rate has an exponential dependence on population size in haploid and diploid populations | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 8 | issue = 12 | pages = e83438 | date = 2013-12-27 | pmid = 24386200 | pmc = 3873944 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0083438 | bibcode = 2013PLoSO...883438A | doi-access = free }}</ref> When populations have fewer than 100 individuals, critical mutation rate can be exceeded, but will lead to loss of genetic material which results in further population decline and likelihood of extinction.<ref name=":0" /> This ‘speed limit’ is common within small, adapted asexual populations and is independent of mutation rate.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Arjan JA, Visser M, Zeyl CW, Gerrish PJ, Blanchard JL, Lenski RE | title = Diminishing returns from mutation supply rate in asexual populations | journal = Science | volume = 283 | issue = 5400 | pages = 404–6 | date = January 1999 | doi = 10.1126/science.283.5400.404 | pmid = 9888858 | jstor = 2896813 | bibcode = 1999Sci...283..404A }}</ref>