Data from: Mutation accumulation and the formation of range limits

The dynamics of range formation are important for understanding and predicting species distributions. Here, we focus on a process that has thus far been overlooked in the context of range formation; the accumulation of mutation load. We find that mutation accumulation severely reduces the extent of a range across an environmental gradient, especially when dispersal is limited, growth rate is low and mutations are of intermediate deleterious effect. Our results illustrate the important role deleterious mutations can play in range formation. We highlight this as a necessary focus for further work, noting particularly the potentially conflicting effects dispersal may have in reducing mutation load and simultaneously increasing migration load in marginal populations.

The raw data files were first zipped before being split so they could be uploaded to Dryad. The data files contain information for each patch on the simulated landscape through time. Files contain self explanatory column headings. Data used and presented in the paper are contained in the folders named, 'mut_load_10.10' and 'varying_static_K'. Other folders contain data used to test the effect of selfing and back mutations in the simulations. These data were used to answer referee questions but were not presented or discussed in the results.

Raw data file 1: xaa
Raw data file 2: xab
Raw data file 3: xac
Raw data file 4: xad

This work is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication license.