MRCA and traits

[DustWolf]

Hello,

 

I have been wondering about this for some time and unfortunately the math required for it is not exactly my virtue. The question is this:

 

Is the offspring of parents comming from two seperate populations, more likely to have traits of the two parents most recent common ancestor, than the offspring (of the same species) which does not match this criteria?

 

If yes, what is the probability?

 

I understand that the rate of mutation could be a factor so let's say we are talking about long-lived mamals. As said I was trying to figure this out several years ago and the little simulation I ran on it on paper made it look like the probability was rather high (50%ish), but then I had no data on rate of mutation or on the proportions between recesive and dominant traits .. and I probably ran it for too few generations (on the other hand, a collegue curious and amused with my elaborate scribling, thought I was right).

 

I had always figured of the solution I had come up with as correct, but I'd rather be sure and at least have the theory straightened out. I suppose some of you will find it no challenge to crack this simple question -- me, my only chance to answer it is to program a computer to simulate it.

 

So what's the answer?

 

Thanks.

 

LP,

Jure

Edited March 16, 2013 by DustWolf