Question

Genetic differences between closely related species are due to changes at both synonymous and nonsynonymous sites (there can also be structural changes, including insertions and deletions, but disregard those for the moment). Do you expect the fraction of total differences at synonymous sites to be greater among elephant species or among nematode species? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

I would expect the fraction of total differences at synonymous sites to be greater among nematode species because of the smaller generational time.