Meiotic drive in Neurospora and other fungi

When a gene complex called Spore killer is heterozygous, ascospores representing two of the four products of each meiosis are killed. Only those that receive the killer complex survive. This article reviews what is known of the mode of action of the Neurospora Spore killers, their chromosomal basis, and their occurrance in nature. Similar genes or gene complexes have been found in other fungi. An example from Podospora anserina is analyzed.