Fig. 1

Random sampling in a multi-locus haploid model. Fitness values were drawn from the normal distribution \(\mathcal {N}(0.7, \, 0.15)\). In each panel, results are shown for a population size of 2000, a varying number of loci from 2 to 20 and 2 alleles per locus. In each panel, for each number of loci, based on 100 independent trials, the red line shows g, the average fraction of all possible genotypes that actually materialized and were tested by the population. For each such genotype, at least one individual was born with that genotype and either survived or did not. The blue line shows P, the fraction of trials in which the allele that is more mixable across all possible genotypes increased in frequency more than the allele that is less mixable across all possible genotypes. Bars for the 4, 8, 12 and 16 loci cases represent a 95% confidence interval for P based on 80 values, each of which was obtained based on 100 independent trials