An explicit model for the inbreeding load in the evolutionary analysis of selfing

I present analytical predictions for the equilibrium inbreeding load expected in a population under mutation, selection and a regular mating system, for any population size and for any magnitude and recessivity of the deleterious effects. Using this prediction, I deduce the relative fitness of mutant alleles with small effect on selfing, to explore the situations where selfing or outcrossing are expected to evolve. The results obtained are in agreement with previous literature, showing that natural selection is expected to lead to stable equilibria where populations show either complete outcrossing or complete selfing, and that selfing is promoted by large deleterious mutation rates. I find that the evolution of selfing is favoured by a large recessivity of deleterious effects, while the magnitude of homozygous deleterious effects only becomes relevant in relatively small populations. This result contradicts the standard assumption that purging in large populations will only promote sel...